A serious case from Darlington County, South Carolina, has ended with a long prison sentence. The case involves two separate incidents in 2025—an armed robbery and a deadly drunk driving crash. Both events together led to a strict punishment by the court.
Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison
A man named Paris Hough has been sentenced to 17 years in prison. The court found him guilty after he pleaded guilty to two serious charges:
- Armed robbery
- Felony DUI resulting in death
The sentence will be served in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Details of the Armed Robbery Case
The armed robbery incident took place on July 6, 2025, in Hartsville, a city in Darlington County. The location was Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Officials said that Hough, along with other individuals, robbed a person at gunpoint. The victim was threatened, and valuables were taken during the incident.
Authorities confirmed that the cases against the co-defendants are still ongoing, and they have not yet been sentenced.
Deadly DUI Crash Incident
The second charge is even more tragic. It is linked to a road accident that happened on February 23, 2025, on Indian Branch Road.
According to reports, Hough was driving a car that went off the road and flipped into a ditch. The crash was severe and resulted in the death of a passenger.
The victim was Nathaniel Rodgers, a 75-year-old man from Hartsville. He died at the scene of the accident.
Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee confirmed the death.
Alcohol Involvement Confirmed
Officials said that Hough’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit at the time of the crash. This means he was driving under the influence of alcohol, which directly contributed to the fatal accident.
Driving while drunk is a serious crime, especially when it leads to loss of life. This was a major factor in the court’s decision.
Court Decision and Impact
Because the two crimes were serious and involved violence as well as loss of life, the judge gave a combined sentence of 17 years.
This case highlights how dangerous and life-changing such actions can be—not only for the victims and their families but also for the person committing the crime.
