Driver Faces Hit And Run Charges After Car Crashes Into Pond

Everyone knows that leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury or death is a crime, so when people involved in car accidents leave the scene of a serious collision, knowing that they could face hit and run charges, it is usually because they fear that the consequences will be worse if they stay and interact with police. For example, they might fear that they will get arrested for DUI if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Many hit and run drivers already have suspended licenses, either because of DUI or other traffic offenses; they might even be on probation for a criminal case, and if the police investigate the collision, they will find that the at fault driver has violated the terms of his or her probation, such as by consuming alcohol when the criminal court set abstinence from drinking alcohol as one of the conditions of probation. Most hit and run cases occur when one driver hits another car, but the at fault driver’s own vehicle remains operational, so the driver keeps driving. People can also be charged with hit and run if they leave the scene of a single vehicle collision where someone gets hurt, whether the injured person is a pedestrian or a passenger. In either case, people injured in hit and run accidents have the right to seek compensation in civil lawsuits. If you got injured in a single vehicle accident where the driver left the scene, contact a Columbia car accident lawyer.

Police Chase Contributed to Single Vehicle Collision

In March 2025, Herbert Singleton was driving on Wando Park Boulevard in Mount Pleasant; his friend Devante White was riding in the passenger seat. A police cruiser behind them flashed its lights, and Singleton gained speed, attempting to elude the officer. Both men feared that they would be arrested if the police stopped them, Singleton for driving under the influence of cannabis and White for illegal possession of a weapon.

Singleton lost control of the car, and it fell into the pond. Both men tried to swim to safety, but Singleton got out of the water and fled on foot. White eventually drowned; rescuers found his body several days later. He was 31 years old and is survived by his five children and many other family members and friends. Singleton turned himself in at the police station the next day; he is facing charges for hit and run involving death, among other charges. Regardless of whether Singleton gets a criminal conviction for the accident that claimed White’s life, White’s surviving family members have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court against any parties responsible for the accident.

Let Us Help You Today

The personal injury lawyers at the Stanley Law Group can help you get justice after getting injured in a hit and run accident.  Contact The Stanley Law Group in Columbia, South Carolina or call (803)799-4700 for a free initial consultation.

Sources:

abcnews4.com/news/local/affidavit-reveals-suspects-account-of-deadly-crash-into-mount-pleasant-pond-wciv-abc-news-4-wando-park-blvd-pond-mount-pleasant-police-department-police-chase-wando-park-boulevard-hit-and-run

abcnews4.com/news/local/mppd-announces-arrest-in-wando-park-blvd-pond-incident-that-left-one-dead-wciv-abc-news-4-charleston-sc-south-carolina-mount-pleasant-police-department-devante-white