A tragic accident that happened in Charleston County is now under close review in court. A former deputy is facing trial for reckless driving that led to the heartbreaking death of a mother and her two daughters. The case has drawn a lot of attention due to the serious nature of the charges and the events that happened that night.
What Happened in the Charleston County Crash?
The trial began for Emily Pelletier, a former Charleston County deputy, who is charged with three counts of reckless homicide. The case is related to a crash that happened on Mother’s Day in 2022. Pelletier’s car hit another vehicle, killing all three people inside – a mother named Stephanie Dantzler and her daughters, Shanice and Miranda Dantzler-Williams.
Speeding and Ignoring the Stop Sign
According to the prosecutor, Pelletier was driving at a very high speed – sometimes over 85 mph. When she entered the intersection at New Road and Highway 17, she was still going over 70 mph. The key point here is that she passed a stop sign without slowing down, and her emergency lights or siren were not turned on.
The defense lawyer said the accident was a result of a “perfect storm” – meaning everything happened in a way that made the crash hard to avoid. But the fact remains that Pelletier ran the stop sign at high speed.
A Dangerous Situation on the Road
That night, Pelletier was on her way to help a driver whose car had broken down in the middle of Highway 17. The woman who had called for help, Patricia Digeronimo, said in court that she had called 911 three times. She told the dispatcher she felt unsafe, as big trucks and cars were narrowly missing her.
Her exact words to 911 were: “I’m in a really dangerous spot… I’m so scared right now. Something bad is going to happen.” Sadly, her fears became true just minutes later.
What the Police and Witnesses Said
Another deputy who responded to the accident said he was also driving fast, but he didn’t go through any intersections at 70 mph like Pelletier did. Body camera footage played in court captured a fellow officer saying that Pelletier had told him she didn’t see the stop sign. This could be important, especially since the area was dark and Pelletier was unfamiliar with that road—it was her first time driving there.
Former Charleston County Sheriff Kristian Graziano was also present during the trial, which shows how serious and emotional this case is for the community.
This trial is more than just a legal case – it’s a story of a tragic loss on what was supposed to be a special day for a family. It also brings attention to how important it is for emergency responders to follow safety rules, even when they’re rushing to help. The court will now decide if the crash was a result of reckless behavior or just a terrible accident. The trial is expected to continue through the week, with more witnesses and evidence to come.
