A tragic crash in Charleston County in 2022 that deeply affected the Dantzler-Williams family and shook South Carolinians has now reached a legal milestone. Former Charleston County Sheriff’s Deputy Emily Pelletier was found guilty of three counts of reckless homicide for her role in a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 17. The jury’s decision, delivered after jury selection and a compelling jury trial, marked a moment of both accountability and grief for a community still reeling from the loss of three beloved women.
What Happened on the Night of the Crash?
The incident occurred late on May 8, 2022, Mother’s Day, around 11 p.m. Pelletier was responding to a 911 call involving a disabled vehicle when her Charleston County patrol car reportedly ran a stop sign at high speed on U.S. Highway 17 near New Road and Savannah Highway, violently colliding with another car.
The victims were:
- 53-year-old Stephanie Dantzler
- 28-year-old Shanice Dantzler-Williams
- 22-year-old Miranda Dantzler-Williams
These members of the Dantzler-Williams family were pronounced dead at the crash scene, leaving behind mourning relatives and a grieving Charleston County community. The family had ties to Claflin University and were traveling home after spending the day together. The crash on southbound Highway 17 was so severe that even veteran first responders described it as one of the worst they’d ever seen.
Critical Trial Highlights
Jury selection complete, the courtroom became a battleground of opposing narratives. The reckless homicide trial featured emotional testimonies, streaming video from the crash aftermath, and expert witnesses dissecting every aspect of the incident.
Prosecution’s Case:
Solicitor Elliot Barrow and Solicitor Jennifer Shealy highlighted:
- Pelletier’s excessive speeding (estimates reached 83 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone)
- Her failure to obey a stop sign
- Distraction due to reliance on her Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) navigation system
They argued Pelletier’s emergency lights (also referred to as blue light) were not activated, creating a visibility hazard on the dark stretch of road,especially if, as the defense witnesses claimed, the victims’ vehicle lights were off. Accident expert Gerry McDevitt confirmed that without proper lighting, the deputy before the crash would have been nearly invisible until the fatal moment.
The Defense Strategy:
Led by attorney Francis Cornely, the defense claimed this was a tragic accident, not a criminal act. They emphasized:
- Pelletier was lawfully responding to a disabled vehicle
- She was unfamiliar with the Black Forest Road and Peterson Road area
- Conditions that night were “horribly perfect” for an accident
- Emergency lights may have been active
- Victims were possibly impaired, citing a blood alcohol level of 0.188%
However, the prosecution countered this alcohol on driver reaction claim, pointing out the blood alcohol levels were taken from a pool of bodily fluids and possibly contaminated post-mortem,making it an unreliable factor in determining driver reaction time.
Accountability Amid Public Service
This high-profile case not only examined the duties and split-second decisions made by law enforcement but raised questions that affect more than just Charleston County:
- Are Charleston County and other South Carolina agencies ensuring officers have sufficient training for high-speed and emergency lights use?
- Are systems like CAD potentially distracting deputies at life-or-death moments?
- Should wrongful death lawsuit guidelines be revisited when the at-fault party is operating county vehicles?
In court, the family filed a lawsuit alleging that the reckless homicide charge was not enough,advocating for broader accountability through a wrongful death civil claim. Some compared it to cases in Lexington County, Greenville County, and even Hennepin County (notably the Hennepin County Medical Center incident involving a streaming video controversy).
Broader Safety Considerations
As the public reflects on this devastating event, infrastructure and safety concerns arise:
- Should roads like Dublin Blvd and Shimmering Creek Drive have better signage or lighting to prevent similar tragedies?
- Are initiatives like Dublin Boulevard Improvements enough to prevent road closures due to preventable accidents?
- How can smaller communities like Warrick Co., Colleton County, or areas near the Missouri River learn from this incident?
Even distant connections arose during trial coverage, such as Laiana Green, Lah K. Tray Moo, and others drawing attention to national highway safety, uniting tragedies across state lines,from Willtown Road and Highway 174 to I-35W South.
What This Means for Victims’ Families
At Ted Law Firm, we understand the complex emotions and legal challenges families face after a deadly crash. Whether caused by a civilian or someone in uniform, a wrongful death is devastating. We work diligently to build strong cases based on:
- Incident reports
- Witness testimony
- Alcohol level wrongful death factors
- Review of county vehicle protocols
- Law enforcement emergency lights policies
We believe no one is above accountability,including deputies operating under emergency calls. The reckless homicide verdict delivers some closure, but civil wrongful death lawsuits often provide further justice for families who have suffered unimaginable losses.
Impacted by a Reckless Driver, Even If It Was a Government Vehicle?
You deserve answers. You deserve justice. The Ted Law Firm is here to represent you with integrity and compassion. Don’t let negligence, from anyone, go unanswered.
Call now for a free consultation and learn how we can help protect your rights.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
