RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – On Monday, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety will discuss the concerning trend of troopers being struck by vehicles during traffic stops.
It comes after three troopers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol were either injured or killed after being struck along interstates or highways in two months.
Master Trooper Wayne LaBounty was airlifted to the hospital in serious condition after he was hit on Augusta Highway in Lexington County on the morning of Sept. 9.
Senior Trooper Mitchell Williams Jr. was hit by a vehicle on Sept. 7 while assisting with a traffic stop on I-77 in Richland County. He is recovering from his injuries at home, according to the Department of Public Safety.
The driver in that case was arrested for driving under the influence, according to authorities.
Trooper Dennis Ricks died after being hit during a traffic stop on I-26 in Orangeburg County on Aug. 13. The driver, a Hanahan man, was initially charged with driving under suspension; however, those charges were upgraded to reckless homicide following the trooper’s death.
Public safety officials are also expected to announce a joint statewide crackdown on distracted drivers and South Carolina’s ‘Move Over’ law.
The law has been in place since 1996. It required drivers to move over or slow down for flashing lights. Violators could be fined between $300 and $500.
Monday’s press conference will be held in Blythewood at 10:30 a.m. It will be streamed live on the department’s official Facebook page.
