Jose Ines Medina Martinez Killed in Greenville Hit-and-Run
Nemecio Aguilar-Hernandez faces felony charges after fleeing the scene on Old Easley Highway
Jose Ines Medina Martinez, 17, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Old Easley Highway at Gethsemane Drive in Greenville County early Wednesday, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Troopers arrested Nemecio Aguilar-Hernandez and booked him into the Pickens County Detention Center on Thursday. He is charged with felony hit-and-run involving death and is also being held for the Department of Homeland Security.
The teen was riding a skateboard along the road at approximately 5:20 a.m. when a vehicle struck him and fled the scene.
Paramedics transported Greenville resident Martinez to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital. He later died from blunt force trauma, the coroner's office reported.
The Highway Patrol and the coroner's office are continuing their investigation into the collision.
The sudden loss of a teenager in a hit-and-run leaves families grappling with deep grief and unanswered questions. While the criminal justice system pursues accountability for the fleeing driver, parallel civil investigations often begin immediately to protect the family's future.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Every minute matters after a catastrophic roadway collision, and when a driver chooses to flee rather than stop, precious time gets wasted instead of going toward saving a life. Delayed emergency response only deepens already devastating injuries for victims left behind."
"An attorney can move quickly, working alongside local police to track down surveillance footage and preserve evidence before memories start fading," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What happens next in the hit-and-run investigation?
Following an arrest, investigators careful reconstruct the collision on Old Easley Highway to build a full timeline. This process involves analyzing vehicle damage, roadway evidence, and witness statements to establish clear liability.
How do hit-and-run death impact the Greenville community?
Hit-and-run death create deep safety concerns for vulnerable road users across South Carolina. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit-and-run deaths reached an all-time high nationally in 2022, with pedestrians and cyclists accounting for much of the victims.
Individuals involved in hit-and-run incidents may have legal options. Consulting a personal injury attorney can help clarify rights and potential claims.
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.
"Reconstructing a fatal crash involves carefully piecing together speed, impact angle, and road conditions to understand how a collision unfolded within seconds," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel brings in reconstruction experts to build a picture, giving grieving families answers insurance adjusters seldom offer."