James Duck Charged with DUI in Fatal Wreck
The driver who fled the scene of a fatal car wreck near the intersection of Tugaloo Road and Highway 11 Monday night has been charged with felony DUI. James Michael Duck, 25, of Lyman turned up at Greenville Memorial Hospital where his mother had taken him for medical attention early Tuesday. He was arrested upon release by Greenville County deputies.
The victim of the wreck has been identified as Kandys Darlene Batson, 25, of Lyman.
Troopers said she was not wearing a seat belt. Batson was partially ejected and the Honda came to rest on her upper body, the coroner said. The medical examiner said she died from blunt force trauma to the chest.
James Duck was also not wearing a seat belt. He is being held at the Greenville County Detention Center, and has been charged with driving under the influence resulting in death and leaving the scene of an accident involving a death.
WYFF4 notes that records indicate Duck and Batson shared the same address. It is unclear if they were married, although sources confirmed Batson was married.
Update, Dec. 9, 2009: [Reader Holli confirms what one of our sources says: Duck and Batson were cousins. Sometimes alcohol runs thicker than blood.]
Driver Sought in Fatal Greenville County Wreck
An unidentified woman was killed in a northern Greenville County car wreck just after 8 p.m. Monday. Authorities are seeking the driver who fled the scene. GreenvilleOnline.com reports:
The car was westbound on Tugaloo Road off State 11 at 7:40 p.m. when it went off the left side and ejected the female passenger, whose name wasn’t immediately available, said Lance Cpl. Kathy Hiles.
The driver of the 1991 Honda Accord left the scene of the accident on foot. Lance Cpl. Hiles of the South Carolina Highway Patrol described the driver as a white male wearing a white t-shirt with cut-out sleeves, according to News Channel 7. The vehicle had a temporary paper tag which was slowing down the efforts to identify the driver Monday night.
Anyone with information about the accident may call the Highway Patrol at (864) 241-1000.
Update, December 8, 2009: [The driver, James Michael Duck, has been arrested and charged with felony DUI and leaving the scene.]