Driver Faces Serious DUI Charge after Brother Dies in Wreck

An 18-year-old Columbia high school student has been charged with felony DUI after a recent accident in which his younger brother was killed. The fatal car accident occurred around 2:10 in the morning while C.S. was driving a midsize BMW. A friend of C.S.'s, also 18 years old, was in the front passenger seat and C.S.'s 16-year-old brother, J.S., was riding in the back. According to South Carolina Highway Patrol reports, the vehicle hit a parked car and then careened off the road at a high rate of speed (it was not stated if the car had been travelling above the speed limit or not). The car crashed into a group of trees and then wrapped around another tree causing the vehicle to be nearly folded in half. All three occupants in the car were wearing their seat belts but J.S. received severe injuries in the collision. C.S. and his friend were not seriously injured. Emergency responders transported all three teens to a local hospital where the 16-year-old was pronounced dead. Police took C.S. into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence after he was released from medical care. He has been charged with felony DUI and released on a personal recognizance bond of $100,000. Reports do not state what intoxicant he was allegedly driving under the influence of or what test was conducted to determine the presence of drugs or alcohol.

Contact a DUI defense attorney immediately!

You should consult with a criminal defense attorney skilled in DUI defense right away if you have been arrested for drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs. A felony DUI charge may be assessed if the driver is accused of causing a serious injury accident, fatal accident or has several previous DUI convictions. The repercussions can be severe if a conviction is obtained so you need someone on your side that will aggressively defend your rights and freedom!

Don't Try to Fight a DUI Charge on Your Own

Whether you are facing a first time misdemeanor DUI offense or have been charged with a felony, you need a professional on your side that understands what is on the line. A conviction can mean hundreds or thousands in fines, weeks or years in prison and you could lose your license. Contact us at Masella Law now to discuss your case and how we may be able to help. We know what it takes to get a positive result in a defense case and we may be able to help you avoid incarceration and other penalties.