A Fort Mill man is facing an upgraded felony driving under the influence charge following a fatal multi-vehicle collision in Rock Hill earlier this year as reported by WSOC.
Joel Smith, 22, was served with the charge in connection with the Feb. 27 crash on Celanese Road near Interstate 77, according to Rock Hill police.
Investigators with the Rock Hill Police Department’s Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team issued the upgraded charge after receiving a toxicology report. Police said the results indicated Smith was under the influence of drugs that impaired his ability to safely operate his vehicle.
The crash occurred around 3:17 p.m. when Smith was driving a Hyundai Sonata that exited southbound I-77 at a high rate of speed. He lost control, and the vehicle became airborne while crossing the median on Celanese Road.
The Hyundai struck a Ford Ranger traveling on Celanese Road before continuing out of control and colliding with a Toyota Sienna.
Emergency medical personnel transported the driver of the Toyota to Piedmont Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Her identity has not been released.
Smith was initially arrested on the day of the crash and charged with reckless homicide and operating an uninsured vehicle. He was later transferred from the Moss Justice Detention Center to the Rock Hill Jail, where police served him with the upgraded DUI resulting in death charge.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
