5-year-old Killed in Alleged Impaired Driver Accident on Charleston Highway in West Columbia, SC
West Columbia, SC — March 22, 2025, a 5-year-old girl was killed as the result of an alleged impaired driver accident along Charleston Highway.
According to initial details about the accident it happened in the area of Old Wire Road between I-26 and U.S. 321.
Investigators said that the 5-year-old girl was a passenger in an SUV going southbound on Charleston. While doing so, it appears a Dodge Charger slammed into the back of the SUV. The girl was killed as a result. Two other people had reportedly non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities at this time allege that the Charger driver was driving while impaired. They reported pending charges for driving under suspension and felony DUI resulting in death.
Commentary
If the allegations are true here, then serious charges are no doubt worth considering. However, there may be more to this story than just a single reckless driver. For instance, was alcohol the cause of the alleged impairment here? If so, South Carolina has laws which could make a local alcohol provider responsible if their service of alcohol to the impaired driver contributed to the accident.
The reason I bring this up is that it's not something that tends to get a lot of attention. I've handled hundreds of cases involving negligent alcohol providers. Authorities tend to be so focused on charging the drivers (justifiably so) that they overlook other important issues. So while there may not be anyone responsible for this besides a single alleged impaired driver, there should be thorough investigations to ensure this girl's family see full accountability for the wrongs done to them.
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