Kalina Trent Killed in Conway Pedestrian Accident
The at-fault driver was arrested on felony DUI and hit-and-run charges following a second collision
Kalina Trent, 21, of Montgomery, New Jersey, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Highway 544 near Elvington Loop in Conway, South Carolina, on Aug. 16, according to Conway police.
A 17-year-old male was arrested and charged as an adult with two counts of felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury and two counts of hit-and-run involving great bodily injury. He was detained by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and Horry County police after being involved in a second collision shortly after fleeing the initial scene.
Arrest warrants allege the 17-year-old was materially and appreciably impaired.
The northbound 2014 Honda Accord was driving above the posted 40 mph speed limit when it struck Trent and another woman attempting to cross the road shortly after midnight. The 17-year-old left the scene without stopping to render aid or notify authorities. Trent was taken to Grand Strand Medical Center, where she died from her injuries on Saturday night. She was honored with an honor walk at the hospital for organ donation.
Conway police continue to investigate the fatal collision.
While law enforcement pursues felony DUI and hit-and-run charges against the teenage driver, the criminal case is only one avenue for accountability.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Fatal crashes involving suspected drunk driving often unfold within seconds, yet the damage reaches far beyond the moment of impact, touching families and communities for years afterward. Toxicology results, roadway conditions, and vehicle speed data all shape early understanding of what happened on the road."
"An attorney moves quickly to preserve surveillance footage, secure medical records, and coordinate with investigators," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Because the at-fault driver is 17 years old, insurance adjusters will scrutinize the liability limits of the vehicle's policy. If the driver carries only minimum state coverage, families often must look to their own Uninsured/Underinsured drivers (UM/UIM) policies to bridge the gap in compensation for medical bills and wrongful death damages.
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research shows 15% of police-reported crashes in 2023 involved fleeing drivers, a recent record high. One-quarter of pedestrians and nearly as many cyclists killed that year were hit by drivers who fled.
Under S.C. Code § 15-51-10, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. South Carolina applies modified comparative fault (a 51% bar), and the statute of limitations is generally three years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and mental shock and suffering.
"Fleeing the scene of a catastrophic wreck often indicates that a driver was attempting to hide severe impairment, lack of license, or active warrants," said said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel works closely with law enforcement liaisons to review forensic evidence, ensuring every available lead is thoroughly explored on behalf of the victim’s relatives."