Dorchester County, South Carolina — A Hanahan man was detained Saturday night following a Dorchester County crash that killed one guy and injured two others.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that Eliel Lopez Morales, 25, had been arrested and charged with felony DUI involving death, open container, and driving without a license.
Morales was driving a 2021 Ford pickup south on 17-A when he crossed the center lane and collided head on with a Dodge SUV near Clubhouse Road soon before 11 p.m.
In addition to Morales, the SUV’s driver and passenger were also hurt. The SUV driver died as a result of his injuries.
The Dorchester County Coroner’s Office has identified the deceased as Ryan Koontz, 41, of Walterboro.
Koontz was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:50 p.m. He will have an autopsy at the Medical University of South Carolina on Tuesday.
Both the SUV passenger and Morales were sent to a local hospital for treatment. Morales is still in custody at the Dorchester County Detention Center.
SCHP is the primary law enforcement agency investigating the crash.
