Grace Elizabeth Woods Killed in Florence County Hit-and-R...
The 20-year-old pedestrian was struck on Old Marion Highway
Grace Elizabeth Woods, 20, of Lexington, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Old Marion Highway in Florence County on Sept. 8, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The northbound vehicle struck the pedestrian sometime after 2 a.m. and fled the area without stopping or calling for help, investigators said. An arrest was made. Troopers located and apprehended the suspected driver, though authorities have not yet released the suspect's identity or the specific charges filed.
Woods had been staying in the Florence area for a short period, according to Florence County Coroner Keith von Lutcken. An autopsy is scheduled at the Medical University of South Carolina.
The investigation remains active as troopers process evidence from the scene.
The crash adds to a rising toll across the state, where the Department of Public Safety recorded 11 fatal hit-and-run crashes and 30 serious-injury hit-and-run collisions in a single recent year.
How common are fatal hit-and-run crashes in South Carolina?
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Weeks sometimes pass before an unidentified driver gets tracked down after a fatal roadway collision, leaving grieving families trapped in painful uncertainty about what actually happened."
"A legal team often works closely with investigators during this stretch, reviewing tips, cross checking vehicle fragments, and pushing for updates, understanding delayed accountability only deepens financial strain and emotional exhaustion for everyone waiting," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What happens next in the investigation?
South Carolina wrongful death statute
Under S.C. Code § 15-51-10, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. South Carolina applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and mental shock and suffering.
"Fleeing the scene of a crash leaves investigators dependent on physical evidence like broken glass, trim pieces, and paint flecks. Matching these tiny debris fragments to specific vehicle models helps law enforcement track down the runaway driver," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "An attorney works with private investigators to supplement police efforts and locate responsible parties."