YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Former York County Sheriff Kevin Robert Tolson has formally resolved a criminal traffic charge stemming from a 2025 vehicle accident by entering a plea of “no contest” on January 5, 2026, according to York County magistrate court records.
Court filings indicate that Tolson, 56, was charged with “Striking fixtures on or adjacent to highway — failure to report,” a violation of South Carolina traffic law. The charge followed a July 13, 2025, incident on Airport Road in Rock Hill, where Tolson was accused of crashing a vehicle and leaving the scene.
Case Disposition and Financials
According to the disposed case file, Tolson entered a plea of Nolo Contendere (no contest) on January 5, 2026. In South Carolina, this plea has the same legal effect as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes but allows a defendant to accept the conviction without a factual admission of guilt.
The court records detail the final financial penalties associated with the case:
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Total Fine/Costs: $232.50
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Fine to General Fund: $100.00
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State Assessment: $95.50
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Law Enforcement Funding Surcharge: $25.00
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Victim Services Assessment: $12.00
Payment records show the full balance was settled on November 24, 2025, prior to the final disposition date.
Background of the Investigation
The investigation was led by the South Carolina Highway Patrol under case number DPSB25CAD399325. Tolson surrendered to authorities at the Moss Justice Center on July 14, 2025, the day after the collision, and was originally released on a personal recognizance bond.
Tolson served two terms as the York County Sheriff after being elected in 2016 and 2020. He was no longer in office at the time of the 2025 accident, having withdrawn from the re-election race in April 2024.
The case, presided over by Magistrate Judge David S. Wood in Fort Mill, is now listed as “Disposed” in the state’s judicial database.
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