Charleston, September 24, 2025
News Summary
Charleston is grappling with a series of DUI-related incidents leading to numerous arrests and tragic fatalities. Notably, a 45-year-old man was arrested for causing significant damage in one instance, while another DUI crash resulted in the death of a 19-year-old pedestrian. The string of incidents underscores the pressing issue of impaired driving and public safety in the area.
Charleston is grappling with a series of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) incidents that have resulted in multiple arrests and, tragically, several fatalities. On Monday, 45-year-old Henry Jones was taken into custody for DUI after causing significant damage to multiple utilities and an unoccupied vehicle on Wappoo Road. Jones faces charges for DUI (1st offense) and leaving the scene of an accident with an unattended vehicle. Law enforcement officials were called to the location after receiving reports of a traffic collision, and a witness observed Jones leaving the scene on foot.
Charleston Police encountered Jones while assessing the collision scene and found him walking back towards it. During questioning, Jones claimed he had only hit a parked vehicle in the parking lot and refused to provide further details. Officers noted that Jones’s breath smelled of alcohol, and the damage to his truck was notably worse than that of the vehicle he had struck. An investigation revealed that Jones had also hit a road sign and an electrical box pole. He was subsequently taken to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) for clearance before being lodged in the local detention center.
In a separate incident, a tragic DUI crash resulted in the death of 19-year-old Jarico Myron Nelson in West Ashley. The crash occurred at approximately 2:14 a.m. on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, near the intersection of Dupont Road, while Nelson was walking in the roadway. The vehicle that struck him was driven by 25-year-old McKither Vincent Bodison Jr., who remained at the scene and was charged with DUI (1st offense). The accident caused traffic disruptions, blocking both sides of Sam Rittenberg Boulevard for over five hours, with the roadway only reopening at 7:45 a.m.
Additionally, Quintero Pedro Trejos was arrested for DUI after crashing into a Charleston Police Department cruiser on I-26 around 10:20 p.m. The collision occurred while officers were assisting a disabled vehicle, resulting in two officers suffering non-life-threatening injuries. Both officers have since been released from medical care. Trejos was charged with DUI (1st offense), and the Charleston Police Department has emphasized the critical importance of safe and sober driving. As a result of the incident, the westbound lanes of I-26 were closed, reopening shortly after midnight.
The toll of DUI incidents extends beyond Charleston, as a 5-year-old girl named Charlotte Leah Flores Izaguirre tragically lost her life in a DUI crash in West Columbia, Lexington County. The child was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a two-vehicle accident on Charleston Highway when they were struck from behind. The child was rushed to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the other vehicle, Maurice Matthews, was arrested for driving under suspension due to a prior DUI and felony DUI resulting in death. Two other occupants of the vehicle with the child sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Summary of DUI Incidents in Charleston
The series of DUI incidents in Charleston highlights the severe consequences of impaired driving and raises concerns about public safety. Law enforcement continues to respond to a growing number of DUI offenses, urging residents to remain vigilant about safe driving practices.
Key Statistics from Recent DUI Incidents
- Henry Jones: Arrested for DUI after damaging utilities and a parked vehicle.
- Jarico Myron Nelson: Killed by a DUI driver in West Ashley.
- Quintero Pedro Trejos: Crashed into a police cruiser while DUI.
- Charlotte Leah Flores Izaguirre: A 5-year-old girl killed in a DUI crash in West Columbia.
FAQ
What happened to Henry Jones?
Henry Jones was arrested for driving under the influence after damaging multiple utilities and an unoccupied vehicle on Monday.
What was the outcome of the incident involving Jarico Myron Nelson?
Jarico Myron Nelson was killed in a DUI crash early Monday morning in West Ashley.
What charges did Quintero Pedro Trejos face?
Quintero Pedro Trejos was charged with DUI after crashing into a Charleston Police Department cruiser.
What happened to Charlotte Leah Flores Izaguirre?
Charlotte Leah Flores Izaguirre, a 5-year-old girl, died in a DUI crash in West Columbia.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Traffic Delays on I-26 Due to Multiple Crashes
Local Man Pleads Guilty to Obstruction in Fatal Crash
North Charleston Reports Injuries Following Accident
North Charleston Man Sentenced for Fatal Crash
Charleston Tackles Unusual Crimes and Community Initiatives
North Charleston Man Sentenced After Fatal Hit-and-Run
North Charleston Man Sentenced for Deadly DUI Crash
Charleston Experiences Multiple Fatal Auto-Pedestrian Accidents
West Ashley Collision Claims Life of 19-Year-Old
Additional Resources
- Live 5 News: Police Charge Driver with DUI in Fatal Crash
- Count on 2 News: Driver Arrested in DUI Crash Injuring Officers
- ABC News 4: Charleston Man Charged with DUI in Fatal Collision
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Driving Under the Influence
- WIS TV: 5-Year-Old Girl Killed in DUI Crash in Lexington County
- Google Search: DUI Incidents in Charleston
Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON
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