City of Charleston to implement DUI checkpoints following deadly hit-and-run

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- The City of Charleston is taking immediate action to increase the law enforcement presence in downtown Charleston, after the tragic hit and run that claimed the lives of two 20-year-old women.

Mayor William Cogswell and Chief Chito Walker both agreed that this tragedy has rocked the Charleston community.

“Their tragic and preventable deaths have cast a shadow over our community,” Mayor Cogswell said.

After conversations with the Charleston Police Department, the city is ready to take more action to make downtown a safer place.

“We, at this point, see the need for additional measures,” Mayor Cogswell said.

Because the suspects were taken into custody days after the crash, we don’t have information on their blood alcohol content at the time of the crash.

However, according to a police report, one witness said that the second suspect, Seth Carlson, was swerving prior to the crash and smelled of alcohol.

“When we look at what has ultimately led to this tragedy, we believe it was drunk driving,” Mayor Cogswell said.

In addition to existing safety initiatives, the city will now implement DUI checkpoints throughout the city and the major thoroughfares coming in and out of the city, 7 days a week.

“This is not just a weekend initiative. This is a day-to-day initiative. We don’t have tragedies that just happen on the weekend. It’s really to change behavior,” Charleston Police Chief, Chit Walker said.

The city says they’ve collaborated with business and bar owners to implement these checkpoints.

The Chief Executive Officer of Republic Lounge, Lea Aylor, says they’re on board with anything that will make downtown safer, “We are fully in support of keeping downtown safe and supporting the decision the mayor is taking on those initiatives.”

Mayor Cogswell says even though they won’t be able to stop every single driver under the influence, they’re hoping the checkpoints will significantly decrease them.

“The checkpoints aren’t going to solve every DUI, but we’re certainly going to be more aggressive about catching people because it’s simply unacceptable,” Mayor Cogswell said.

The city says the checkpoints will begin this weekend, and they will inform the public of specific locations later this week.