Police: 2 charged in Rock Hill hit-and-run; motorcyclist critically injured

ROCK HILL Two men have been charged in connection with an overnight hit-and-run that sent a motorcyclist in Rock Hill to a Charlotte hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Christopher Levon Franklin, 31, and Jeremy Cord Mobley, 25, have both been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, said Rock Hill Police Executive Officer Mark Bollinger. Franklin, of 2211 Farlow St., faces additional charges for his second driving under suspension offense, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

Mobley, who lives at 2938 Vernsdale Road, is also charged with driving under suspension, operating an uninsured vehicle and operating a vehicle with a suspended tag.

At about 9 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Mount Gallant and Celanese roads involving a Yamaha R-6 motorcycle and an early 2000s model champagne Infiniti, Bollinger said.

The motorcycle rider, Joshua Reynolds, 23, was critically injured, Bollinger said, and had to be taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He was not wearing a helmet, police said.

Police spent most of the night searching for the suspect vehicle until they found it hidden behind a house on Farlow Street, off Mount Gallant, Bollinger said.

Authorities arrested Franklin and took him to the police station for questioning. At the same time, Mobley arrived at the police station, where he was also questioned, Bollinger said.

Hours later, police filed the charges.

The accident is still under investigation, but police are still seeking more information about the accident, as well as trying to determine which driver was at fault, Bollinger said.

Anyone with information is asked to call York County Crimestoppers at (877) 409-4321.

Shaw Law Firm focuses its representation on individuals and families who have been Injured. We represent clients involved in Automobile accidents, Tractor-Trailer accidents, Motorcycle accidents, Hit and Run accidents, Drivers with no insurance accidents, Pedestrian and Bicycle accidents. We also handle claims associated with Dog Bites/Attacks, Injuries on the Job, Workers’ Compensation, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Prescription Errors and all Injuries associated with Children.

Shaw Law Firm has a Former Prosecutor on Staff who is dedicated to representing families and individuals going through difficult situations. Divorces and persons accused of Crimes, including alcohol and drug related charges are the focus.

We serve York County, Lancaster County and Chester County and all cities within those counties including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Clover, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, York, Sharon, Hickory Grove, Indian Land, Catawba, Lancaster, Chester, Great Falls and Richburg. We also serve Charlotte and the entire surrounding region.

Man, 26, dies in Lancaster County crash

LANCASTER A Monroe man died Tuesday morning in a crash on Camp Creek Road in South Carolina.

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the collision around 6 a.m. Officials found a pickup in the center of the road and a small car off to the side of the road.

The driver of the car, Jeffrey Whitener, 26, of Monroe, had been ejected from his vehicle and died at the scene, according to sheriff's office officials.

The 24-year-old Lancaster man who was driving the truck was hospitalized with minor injuries.

Officials with the sheriff's office and highway patrol are still working to determine the cause of the wreck.

Shaw Law Firm focuses its representation on individuals and families who have been Injured. We represent clients involved in Automobile accidents, Tractor-Trailer accidents, Motorcycle accidents, Hit and Run accidents, Drivers with no insurance accidents, Pedestrian and Bicycle accidents. We also handle claims associated with Dog Bites/Attacks, Injuries on the Job, Workers’ Compensation, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Prescription Errors and all Injuries associated with Children.

Shaw Law Firm has a Former Prosecutor on Staff who is dedicated to representing families and individuals going through difficult situations. Divorces and persons accused of Crimes, including alcohol and drug related charges are the focus.

We serve York County, Lancaster County and Chester County and all cities within those counties including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Clover, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, York, Sharon, Hickory Grove, Indian Land, Catawba, Lancaster, Chester, Great Falls and Richburg. We also serve Charlotte and the entire surrounding region.

3 dead in Chester County crash; nearby school bus hit with debris

CHESTER Three men who were travelling on a Chester County highway are dead after authorities say their car ran off the road, hit a tree and then sent debris flying at a nearby school bus Monday morning.

Crews were called to the crash on Old Richburg Road near Lizzie Melton Road at about 11:40 a.m. Monday when a 1999 Volkswagen headed west ran off the right side of the road and struck a tree, said Lance Cpl. Billy Elder with the Highway Patrol.

A Lewisville Elementary School bus was traveling east on the road when it was hit by debris, Elder said.

Chester schools spokeswoman Brooke Clinton said only two kindergartners from Lewisville Elementary School were on the bus, along with the driver, Margaret Turner, 56, of Fort Lawn.

The children, whose ages were not available, and Turner were all in good condition after they were escorted off the bus by the school's resource officer, Clinton said. The school's pre-kindergarten program usually dismisses around 11 a.m. each day, she said.

Lizzie Melton Road is about two miles from the school.

The driver, a man, and his two passengers were all pronounced dead at the scene, Elder said. Their identities were not immediately available.

Clinton said the victims were not students in the school district.

Check back later for more details on this developing story.

Shaw Law Firm focuses its representation on individuals and families who have been Injured. We represent clients involved in Automobile accidents, Tractor-Trailer accidents, Motorcycle accidents, Hit and Run accidents, Drivers with no insurance accidents, Pedestrian and Bicycle accidents. We also handle claims associated with Dog Bites/Attacks, Injuries on the Job, Workers’ Compensation, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Prescription Errors and all Injuries associated with Children.

Shaw Law Firm has a Former Prosecutor on Staff who is dedicated to representing families and individuals going through difficult situations. Divorces and persons accused of Crimes, including alcohol and drug related charges are the focus.

We serve York County, Lancaster County and Chester County and all cities within those counties including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Clover, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, York, Sharon, Hickory Grove, Indian Land, Catawba, Lancaster, Chester, Great Falls and Richburg. We also serve Charlotte and the entire surrounding region.

Rock Hill police chase ends with crash, K9 pursuit

ROCK HILL Police spent a couple of hours Thursday morning searching for two men who, after running a stop sign, speeding away from police and hitting a parked car, fled on foot.

Sometime this morning, a white Cadillac carrying three men ran a stop sign in the area around Friedheim Road, said Rock Hill Police Executive Officer Mark Bollinger. When an officer tried to perform a traffic stop, the car sped away.

Eventually, the speeding car hit a parked car on Orr Drive and two men inside ran, Bollinger said. One of the passengers stayed behind and was detained.

Eldon Butterfield, 27, has been charged with open container, police say.

Police set up a perimeter in the area that expanded around Heckle Boulevard and Crawford Road while a K9 unit searched for the other two men.

The dogs eventually lost the track, but police are still searching for the two men, Bollinger said. By Thursday afternoon, police presence in the area had cleared out.

Shaw Law Firm focuses its representation on individuals and families who have been Injured. We represent clients involved in Automobile accidents, Tractor-Trailer accidents, Motorcycle accidents, Hit and Run accidents, Drivers with no insurance accidents, Pedestrian and Bicycle accidents. We also handle claims associated with Dog Bites/Attacks, Injuries on the Job, Workers’ Compensation, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Prescription Errors and all Injuries associated with Children.

Shaw Law Firm has a Former Prosecutor on Staff who is dedicated to representing families and individuals going through difficult situations. Divorces and persons accused of Crimes, including alcohol and drug related charges are the focus.

We serve York County, Lancaster County and Chester County and all cities within those counties including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Clover, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, York, Sharon, Hickory Grove, Indian Land, Catawba, Lancaster, Chester, Great Falls and Richburg. We also serve Charlotte and the entire surrounding region.

Tractor-trailer crash knocks out traffic lights, slows Rock Hill commute

ROCK HILL — A tractor-trailer ran off the road and struck a utility power pole on S.C. 5 in Rock Hill Wednesday afternoon, knocking out traffic lights and slowing traffic.

The Rock Hill Police Department, Rock Hill Fire Department and city of Rock Hill utilities department swarmed the scene as crews worked on restoring power to the area. Traffic was slowed at the intersection of S.C. 5 and Herlong Avenue, where traffic lights were out.

The truck's driver made an "evasive" maneuver to avoid hitting a car that cut him off, said Rock Hill Police Executive Officer Mark Bollinger.

No one was taken to the hospital, he said.

About two hours later, police directed the flow of traffic, now moving smoothly and in all directions. The truck has since been removed from the road.

http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/05/01/4823672/tractor-trailer-crash-knocks-out.html

Shaw Law Firm focuses its representation on individuals and families who have been Injured. We represent clients involved in Automobile accidents, Tractor-Trailer accidents, Motorcycle accidents, Hit and Run accidents, Drivers with no insurance accidents, Pedestrian and Bicycle accidents. We also handle claims associated with Dog Bites/Attacks, Injuries on the Job, Workers’ Compensation, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Prescription Errors and all Injuries associated with Children.

Shaw Law Firm has a Former Prosecutor on Staff who is dedicated to representing families and individuals going through difficult situations. Divorces and persons accused of Crimes, including alcohol and drug related charges are the focus.

We serve York County, Lancaster County and Chester County and all cities within those counties including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Clover, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, York, Sharon, Hickory Grove, Indian Land, Catawba, Lancaster, Chester, Great Falls and Richburg. We also serve Charlotte and the entire surrounding region.

Names released of N.C. men killed in York County crash

The names of two North Carolina men killed in a car accident on South Anderson Road Saturday evening were released Sunday morning.

Don Bryant, 27, of Mint Hill, N.C., and Christopher Graves, 29, of Spring Lake, N.C., both died of injuries they suffered during the crash, said York County Coroner Sabrina Gast.

She said officials will perform toxicology tests on both victims.

Just after 5 p.m., Bryant, driving a 4-door Toyota, and Graves, his passenger, side-swiped another car, ran off the roadway and struck a tree, said Lance Cpl. Brent Kelly of the state Highway Patrol.

Both men were wearing seat belts.

The driver of the other car involved, a 22-year-old woman from Catawba, was taken to Piedmont Medical Center with minor injuries. She was also wearing a seat belt, Kelly said.

The accident happened near Emma Wood Lane.

Shaw Law Firm focuses its representation on individuals and families who have been Injured. We represent clients involved in Automobile accidents, Tractor-Trailer accidents, Motorcycle accidents, Hit and Run accidents, Drivers with no insurance accidents, Pedestrian and Bicycle accidents. We also handle claims associated with Dog Bites/Attacks, Injuries on the Job, Workers’ Compensation, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Prescription Errors and all Injuries associated with Children.

Shaw Law Firm has a Former Prosecutor on Staff who is dedicated to representing families and individuals going through difficult situations. Divorces and persons accused of Crimes, including alcohol and drug related charges are the focus.

We serve York County, Lancaster County and Chester County and all cities within those counties including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Clover, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, York, Sharon, Hickory Grove, Indian Land, Catawba, Lancaster, Chester, Great Falls and Richburg. We also serve Charlotte and the entire surrounding region.

N.C. driver dies at wheel of Rock Hill logging truck, crash stalls traffic

ROCK HILL A truck driver died Monday morning while driving an empty logging truck on Heckle Boulevard in Rock Hill, police say.

At about 7 a.m., police were called to a single-vehicle crash after the truck veered off the side of the road, crossing the median and several other lanes before stopping in the woods, said Rock Hill Police Executive Officer Mark Bollinger.

Wayne Anderson, 61, of Black Mountain, N.C., was headed towards Newport past Hollis Lakes Road and wasn't carrying any cargo.

No other injuries were reported and no other vehicles involved in the accident, Bollinger said.

The police department's traffic accident investigation team is still on scene trying to determine what happened, Bollinger said, but it appears he might have had a medical issue prior to the wreck.

Police called out a wrecker to get the truck out of the woods, he said.

York County Coroner Sabrina Gast was unable to name a cause of death, but she said it's likely "natural."

Officials are still waiting for autopsy results to return before releasing an official cause of death.

Driver dies at wheel of Rock Hill logging truck, crash stalls traffic

At about 7 a.m., police were called to a single-vehicle crash after the truck veered off the side of the road, crossing the median and several other lanes before stopping in the woods, said Rock Hill Police Executive Officer Mark Bollinger. The driver was headed towards Newport past Hollis Lakes Road and wasn't carrying any cargo.

No other injuries were reported and no other vehicles involved in the accident, Bollinger said.

The police department's traffic accident investigation team is still on scene trying to determine what happened, Bollinger said, but it appears he might have died of a medical issue prior to the wreck.

Police have called out a wrecker to get the truck out of the woods, he said.

The driver's identity wasn't available pending family and company notification, said York County Coroner Sabrina Gast.

Gast was unable to name a cause of death, but she said it's likely "natural."

There are plans for an autopsy later Monday.

Check back later for more details on this developing story.

Boy, 13, airlifted after Lancaster Co. crash

The boy, whose name will not be released because he’s a minor, was admitted to Carolinas Medical Center, said Lance Cpl. Billy Elder with the state Highway Patrol. His condition was not available.

Shaw Law Firm focuses its representation on individuals and families who have been Injured. We represent clients involved in Automobile accidents, Tractor-Trailer accidents, Motorcycle accidents, Hit and Run accidents, Drivers with no insurance accidents, Pedestrian and Bicycle accidents. We also handle claims associated with Dog Bites/Attacks, Injuries on the Job, Workers’ Compensation, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Prescription Errors and all Injuries associated with Children.

Shaw Law Firm has a Former Prosecutor on Staff who is dedicated to representing families and individuals going through difficult situations. Divorces and persons accused of Crimes, including alcohol and drug related charges are the focus.

We serve York County, Lancaster County and Chester County and all cities within those counties including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Clover, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, York, Sharon, Hickory Grove, Indian Land, Catawba, Lancaster, Chester, Great Falls and Richburg. We also serve Charlotte and the entire surrounding region.

'Experienced' Fort Mill rider dies in Lancaster County motorcycle crash

LANCASTER — A Fort Mill man who officials say was an experienced rider died Saturday afternoon in a motorcycle crash in Lancaster County.

Gary Crabtree, 68, was riding his 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on S.C. 903 at about 12:45 p.m. when he was thrown from the bike and into the road, said Lance Cpl. Billy Elder with the Highway Patrol.

He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, Elder said.

Crabtree was pronounced dead on the scene, said Lancaster County Deputy Coroner Tony Broome.

Crabtree, a resident of the Sun City Carolina Lakes adult retirement community in Indian Land, was an experienced motorcycle rider, Broome said.

"We don't know what happened yet," Broome said, adding that officials will have to perform an autopsy on Crabtree to determine an exact cause of death.

Crew find bodies of 2 kids buried at N.C. worksite

Emergency crews early Monday found the bodies of two young children who were buried by a wall of dirt at a home construction site in rural North Carolina, The Charlotte Observer reported.

The newspaper said Lincoln County crews located the bodies of the 7-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl shortly before daybreak, but were moving cautiously to recover them because of the danger of a new cave-in. 

Crews found them at a level of about 15 feet in the hole that originally was about 25 feet deep.

The father of one of the children called 911 to report the incident at about 6 p.m. on Sunday, Lincoln County Emergency Services public information officer Dion Burleson said of the rescue effort turned recovery operation.

Neighbors stood by in disbelief as dozens of fire trucks spent hours trying to get to the 7-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl.

"We worked as if they were alive," Burleson told The Observer Sunday evening. "Times like these are very difficult. It's devastating for the family and each and every responder."

Crews at the Denver neighborhood placed a safety barrier around the pit and used shovels and climbing gear to try and reach the children, trapped about 20 feet underground, according to WSOC-TV. 

Some 65 emergency personnel from several places, including nearby Charlotte, were on the scene.

A neighbor told The Observer that a family member building a new home at the site had been digging with a backhoe there earlier in the day. The children were trapped in the hole later when part of it caved in. 

Burleson said an investigation was under way. He said he didn't have information on construction permits at the site. 

"This is a tragic night in Denver," Burleson said.

 Contributing: The Associated Press

Shaw Law Firm focuses its representation on individuals and families who have been Injured. We represent clients involved in Automobile accidents, Tractor-Trailer accidents, Motorcycle accidents, Hit and Run accidents, Drivers with no insurance accidents, Pedestrian and Bicycle accidents. We also handle claims associated with Dog Bites/Attacks, Injuries on the Job, Workers’ Compensation, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse, Prescription Errors and all Injuries associated with Children.

Shaw Law Firm has a Former Prosecutor on Staff who is dedicated to representing families and individuals going through difficult situations. Divorces and persons accused of Crimes, including alcohol and drug related charges are the focus.

We serve York County, Lancaster County and Chester County and all cities within those counties including Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Clover, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, York, Sharon, Hickory Grove, Indian Land, Catawba, Lancaster, Chester, Great Falls and Richburg. We also serve Charlotte and the entire surrounding region.