Fatal DUI in Downtown Charleston

According to Live 5 News Charleston police responded to a fatal accident that left one person dead after another car was going the wrong way on Interstate 26 early Sunday morning near downtown Charleston. The car accident happened just after midnight on I-26 westbound just north of Coming Street near the Crosstown. According to investigators, 19-year-old Samuel McCauley was driving his Nissan Maxima the wrong way on the interstate when he crashed into a Honda Civic. Both drivers were transported to the Medical University of South Carolina for multiple injuries. Police say the driver of the Civic, 72-year-old Eleanor Caperton, of Ladson, died as a result of her injuries at the hospital. Authorities charged McClauley with felony DUI. A bond hearing has not yet been scheduled for McCauley.

What is Felony DUI?

A felony DUI comprises more serious circumstances than simply exceeding blood alcohol limits. Felony DUI points to a driver causing bodily harm to one or more individuals. If a driver is responsible for an accident resulting in injury or death to someone else, the driver can anticipate felony charges. The 25 year maximum penalty is related to the criminal charge. The family of the victim may have cause to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the accused. A wrongful death lawsuit claims that the victim was killed as a result of negligence (or other type of unjust action) on the part of the person or entity being sued, and that the victim's survivors are entitled to monetary damages as a result of the improper conduct.

Wrongful Death Lawyer

A wrongful death lawyer needs to be able to prove negligence to win a wrongful death lawsuit. Without doing so, the attorney will find it challenge or impossible to force a settlement or win a verdict in a wrongful death lawsuit. If a situation like this, the negligence should not be difficult to prove should the accused be found guilty of felony DUI. If you've lost a loved one due to another party's negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney experienced in DUI felonies.