Elijah Green Arrested in Columbia Hit-and-Run Accident
Judge denies bond for 36-year-old in incident on Forest Drive
Elijah Green, 36, was arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that occurred on March 20 in Columbia, according to Police Chief W.H. "Skip" Holbrook. Green is charged with hit-and-run involving death, failure to render aid and provide information, and violation of a beginner's permit. He is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, and a judge denied his bond during a court appearance yesterday.
Investigators determined Green was driving an SUV on the 5400 block of Forest Drive on March 20, shortly before 7 p.m., when he left the road, struck a curb, and a stop sign. The SUV then struck a man. The victim was found on the ground with life-threatening injuries and taken to a hospital.
The victim was pronounced dead last week. The Richland County Coroner's Office assisted CPD with the investigation.
The arrest of Elijah Green in the hit-and-run on Forest Drive created complexities often present in such investigations. In hit-and-run collisions, the immediate aftermath can be chaotic, with critical evidence easily compromised. When a driver flees the scene, investigators must work diligently to piece together what happened and identify the at-fault party.
Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "What scares me about hit-and-run collisions is the confusion that follows a bad wreck."
Investigators in hit-and-run cases like the one on Forest Drive typically examine physical evidence from the scene, including vehicle debris, tire marks, and surveillance footage. They often interview witnesses and use forensic techniques to identify the make and model of the suspect vehicle, narrowing down their search. The victim's condition, as seen in this Columbia incident, guides how serious the charges.
Pedestrians, tragically, are particularly vulnerable in these types of incidents. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), pedestrian death increased by 77% nationally between 2010 and 2021, with hit-and-run crashes contributing significantly to this rise.
For victims and their families, a hit-and-run incident can be devastating, leaving them with emotional trauma and significant financial burdens. While the criminal justice system focuses on punishing the perpetrator, a civil personal injury claim allows the victim to seek compensation. Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, observed that "Most people don't know that road maintenance records are public and can show a history of neglected hazards. If a pothole or sign wasn't fixed, it's often a major factor in the wreck." This legal avenue can provide funds for medical care, lost income, and other related expenses, offering a path to financial recovery.
South Carolina follows a modified comparative fault (51% bar) system. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Damages include economic and non-economic losses.
Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "While a criminal conviction for hit-and-run offers a sense of justice for the community, it often fails to cover the financial burdens faced by victims, which is why a civil claim is so crucial."