Bond denied for Walterboro man charged in DUI crash that killed one child and injured another

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Bond was denied Tuesday for an 18-year-old man accused in a DUI crash that left one child dead and another child seriously injured.

Hunter Williams, of Walterboro, appeared before a bond court judge at the Colleton County Detention Center on Tuesday morning. He is facing one count of felony DUI involving death and one count of felony DUI with great bodily harm.

Williams is accused of driving a Chevrolet Silverado when he crashed into a Suburban at the intersection of Jefferies Highway and Pleasant Grove Road on the night of September 28.

Both vehicles overturned.

An 8-year-old, Emma, was killed. Five other people were injured in the crash including the child’s best friend, 10-year-old Lacey, who suffered multiple life-threatening injuries. She was taken to the Medical University of South Carolina Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.

“A tragedy. A very, very bad tragedy. My daughter was in a vehicle with her best friend, and her mother and sister and family. They were coming back from showing goats all day,” said Bret Wiggins, father of 10-year-old Lacey.

Williams was taken to the trauma center at Trident Medical Center for treatment. He was denied bond during Wednesday’s hearing.

Wiggins believes the crash could have been avoided.

“I think it really could’ve been prevented. From somebody providing or selling a minor beer. I can’t say that I was under 21 and didn’t get my hands on beer, and you know stuff back then, but obviously stayed off road too. I wasn’t going to hurt nobody but myself,” he said.

Wiggins added, “It’s something that won’t leave you. And I’m sure it’s not gonna leave me my wife, Emma‘s mom and daddy, Lacey, for the rest of our lives. It’s something that I wouldn’t never wish on any parent or anyone to have to deal with.”