In a tragic and high-speed crash, Xavier Rosado was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the reckless homicide of a 23-year-old woman and leaving the scene of an accident on Interstate 26 in North Charleston, South Carolina. The crash, which occurred on October 4, 2021, led to one fatality and left another individual with life-changing injuries. Rosado’s actions, including fleeing the scene and attempting to cover up his involvement, were crucial factors in his sentencing.
The Fatal Crash
On the morning of October 4, 2021, Xavier Rosado was driving his Porsche Cayenne at an astonishing speed of 139 miles per hour on I-26, near mile marker 214, when he collided with the back of a Nissan SUV. The high-speed crash sent the Nissan off the highway, causing it to flip and trap the two passengers inside.
The driver, a 23-year-old woman, tragically died from her injuries.
The passenger, a 22-year-old man, suffered multiple severe injuries, including broken ribs, a broken vertebra, lacerations, a traumatic brain injury, and the loss of his sense of smell.
After the crash, instead of helping the victims, Rosado fled the scene on foot. A passerby witnessed the accident and immediately called 911, alerting authorities to the victims’ condition.
The Aftermath and Investigation
When South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) officers arrived at the scene, they found the victims trapped in the overturned Nissan, and it took about 30 minutes for the North Charleston Fire Department to free them. Both victims were rushed to the Medical University of South Carolina for treatment. Despite Rosado’s attempt to flee, authorities quickly set out to locate him and piece together the events surrounding the crash.
About 20 minutes after the crash, Rosado called the North Charleston Police Department to report that his Porsche had been stolen from a nightclub in North Charleston. Investigators quickly determined that this was a fabricated story.
Through their investigation, SCHP’s Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) used several pieces of evidence to confirm that Rosado was indeed the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash. This included:
Phone records
Physical injuries Rosado had sustained in the crash
DNA evidence found on the airbag and front seat of the Porsche
The Legal Consequences
Rosado’s reckless behavior and attempt to evade responsibility were met with significant legal consequences. He was charged with reckless homicide, leaving the scene of an accident with death, and leaving the scene with great bodily injury.
In his guilty plea on the day of sentencing, Rosado admitted to the charges. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, which is the maximum sentence for the charges of reckless homicide and leaving the scene of an accident with great bodily injury.
However, the charge of leaving the scene with death carries a maximum 25-year sentence, which was not applied in this case, as the sentence was capped at the 10-year maximum for the reckless homicide charge.
Public Reaction and Impact
The crash and subsequent events sparked outrage in the community, especially given the severity of the injuries suffered by the victims and the lack of compassion shown by Rosado. His decision to flee the scene, rather than assisting the victims or calling for help, only compounded the tragedy.
The family and friends of the victims, as well as the public, have expressed their frustration over the events, and the case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions.
The sentencing of Xavier Rosado to 10 years in prison brings a degree of closure to the tragic accident that claimed the life of a young woman and caused serious injuries to another. His reckless actions, including speeding and fleeing the scene, have had lifelong impacts on the victims and their families. This case highlights the need for continued vigilance on the roads and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially when those actions result in harm or loss of life.
