Second driver in deadly Ladson Road hit-and-run arrested

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — State troopers have arrested the second suspect in a double hit-and-run that killed a motorcyclist on Ladson Road.

Russell Grant Draper, 62, was charged with hit-and-run involving death and booked into the Dorchester County Detention Center, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

On May 10, Draper was driving a Ford pick-up when he attempted to turn onto Oakmount Avenue, hitting a motorcycle driven by Christopher Ashley. 

Ashley was ejected into the westbound lanes of Ladson Road, where he was struck by a second vehicle driven by Jeannie Reagan Polite, 43.

Polite also fled the scene and was arrested and charged with hit-and-run involving death on May 13. 

Ashley was pronounced dead on the scene. A second passenger on the motorcycle was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. That passenger’s status is unknown. 

The South Carolina Highway Patrol and Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.