Young Man Killed by Hit and Run Driver
An 18-year-old man was killed in a hit and run accident, and police now believe they know who did it. Authorities found the body of a man who died of multiple blunt force trauma injuries along the median of Highway 321 near the intersection of Woodtrail Drive in Gaston, South Carolina. The man killed was determined to be John Denley Moore, Jr. Based on parts of a vehicle found at the scene of the accident, including a driver’s side mirror, police determined both that the individual had died when he was hit by a vehicle, and that the vehicle they were searching for was a 2007-2014 Chevrolet or GMC 2500 or 3500 HD pickup. Upon further investigation in the town of Gaston and throughout Lexington County, authorities located a 2009 Chevrolet 3500 HD with damage of the sort that police expected to find on the vehicle that hit Moore. Police seized the truck as evidence of the hit and run. The owner was determined to be Michael L. Gantt. A warrant was issued for Gantt’s arrest for hit and run involving death, and willful destruction of biological evidence. Police have not yet been able to locate Gantt, and anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Gaston Police Department.
Drivers who fail to stop at the scene of an accident put themselves at risk of incurring serious criminal consequences, as well as liability for large fines and a possible civil lawsuit. In the state of South Carolina, a hit and run where death to the victim resulted is a felony, and a conviction can result in between one and 25 years of imprisonment and require payment of a fine into the tens of thousands of dollars. Drivers who leave the scene of an accident without rendering aid can also be sued in civil court for the injuries they caused, or for wrongful death. In addition to any expenses that the victim incurred from the accident, the victim may be awarded punitive damages in a lawsuit, which are funds the responsible driver is ordered to pay as a form of punishment for willful, wanton, or reckless conduct.
This case is an example of how skilled investigators can help to determine the perpetrator of a hit and run crash, and can help victims to ensure that those drivers face the consequences of their actions. If you have been injured in a hit and run crash, contact experienced lawyers as soon as possible. Good personal injury attorneys will know how best to investigate a hit and run crash, and can help you file the necessary legal documents and insurance claims to help you get paid what you’re owed for your medical expenses, lost work, and pain and suffering. Contact the skilled Columbia car accident lawyers at Peake & Fowler, P.A. for a free consultation on your claims in and around Columbia, South Carolina, including Eastover, Elgin, Hopkins, Camden, and Richland County. Call 803-788-4370 to speak to an attorney about your possible lawsuit.
