William Gunter Arrested in Richland County DUI Accident
A 42-year-old man faces felony hit-and-run charges after striking a driver refueling a disabled car
A 42-year-old Columbia man was arrested on felony charges after he allegedly struck and killed a driver who was refueling a disabled car on an interstate in Richland County, South Carolina, early Saturday, according to the State Patrol.
William Gunter faces counts of felony driving under the influence resulting in death and leaving the scene of a fatal collision. Troopers said the suspect fled the initial crash site in a 2021 Ford van and was involved in a second wreck before being taken into custody.
The eastbound shoulder was dark when the van veered off the right side of the road. It slammed into both the 2002 Lexus and the person standing outside pumping gas.
The passenger survived. The person outside the vehicle died from their injuries at the scene.
Gunter was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment following the second collision. He also faces charges of leaving the scene of a collision with property damage and simple possession of marijuana.
The crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol. Authorities have not yet released the name of the person who died, pending notification of family members.
While criminal charges hold impaired drivers accountable to the state, families of victims often pursue parallel civil actions to address the financial and emotional losses. the corner of criminal prosecution and civil liability requires careful navigation to ensure victims' rights are protected.
How do criminal charges impact civil claims in Richland County?
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "In DUI accidents, the criminal proceedings establish a foundation of negligence that can be pivotal when families seek justice through civil litigation."
The investigation into the hit-and-run sequence will require accident reconstructionists to map the van's trajectory from the shoulder impact to the secondary collision. South Carolina law enforcement agencies routinely coordinate with prosecutors to ensure toxicology reports and event data recorder information are preserved for both criminal and civil courts.
What happens next in the hit-and-run investigation?
National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, noted that "When a driver flees a fatal collision, investigators must meticulously document the debris field and vehicle damage to ensure all liable parties are held fully responsible in wrongful death claims."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired driving death account for nearly a third of all traffic-related deaths nationwide. Cases involving fleeing drivers often prompt secondary investigations into where the driver was served alcohol prior to the crash.
South Carolina wrongful death and DUI liability
Families typically have three years from the date of the death to file a wrongful death claim in South Carolina. Navigating the corner of a criminal DUI prosecution and a civil insurance claim requires preserving evidence early, including police reports, toxicology results, and witness statements.