Teen killed on I-77, man charged with felony DUI
FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SC (WIS) –
A Lowcountry man has been charged with felony DUI after troopers say he caused a collision that killed a teenager on his way to Florida for a holiday cruise Sunday evening on Interstate 77.
Additional Links
According to the Highway Patrol, Ricky Lance Deel, 34, of Beaufort was driving a 2000 Saturn southbound on I-77 near mile marker 41 around 6:50 p.m. when he made contact with a Dodge Durango carrying seven people.
A teenager was ejected from the vehicle and died as a result of the crash. Fairfield County Coroner Barkley Ramsey identified the victim as 16-year-old James Franklin Williams of New Boston, Michigan.
The other six people in the Durango were transported to Palmetto Health Richland Hospital with unknown injuries.
A family member says all seven were traveling from Michigan to Florida to embark on a cruise to the Bahamas.
Deel was arrested and transported to the Fairfield County Detention Center where he remained in custody Monday morning.
The accident is under investigation by the Highway Patrol’s MAIT team.
Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.
I posted this because Jimmy Williams was easily one of the best student/athletes I have ever have the pleasure of coaching and knowing in my lifetime. He was basically “Mr. Huron” and everyone who knew him loved him because of his infectious personality, wonderful smile, great academics and his fearless competitve nature. Jimmy was a member of the varsity football and Track & Field teams.
Please keep his family in your prayers. Two family members and one friend are hospitalized. Please pray for their recovery. There will be a candlelight vigil tonight in front of New Boston Huron High School at 7 pm at the flag pole..
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Williams family along with the Huron Chiefs Football team and Student body. Know you will be in our hearts from the Flat Rock Rams
You can throw sports out the window. Something like this puts real things in perspective. I did not know this young man but from what I have heard about him he was a great kid.This is heartbraking and prayers for the entire family and Huron family.
It was pretty overwhelming the support that Jimmy and his family received tonight.
I know I was able to speak briefly with the FR and SMCC contingent that showed up. For them and others to take time out of their lives and schedules to be there was truly first class and is not taken lightly.
Jimmy was a special kid and those who came to honor his memory tonight are pretty special too.
Thoughts and prayers from GI. Rest in piece #2.
With all the talk back and forth about football, who's team is the best, which player is the best and even a bit of bashing, I have never been as proud as I am tonight to be a part of the Huron Leauge. It is extremely heartfelt to see the support at Jimmy Williams vigil by Airport, Flat Rock, SMCC, and even Gabriel Richard. It was beautiful to see us all come together and actually be a real TEAM!
AIRPORT PARENT
I am deeply saddend to read this. My heart and prayers go out ot the family and friends. Life is to short.
Our prayers are with him and his family, friends and team mates. What a terrible tragedy and senseless loss.
CC and Huron League Fan.
It could happen to any of us any day. I tell my family to treasure each day you have, because you never know when it will end.
All the families involved will be in our prayers.
Very very sorry to hear this Chris. We will keep the family and Huron community in our prayers.
I am so sorry to read this. Another reminder of how short life can be and how fragile we all are.
My heart goes out to the family and the Huron High School family.
Our prayers are with you.
For once I am at a loss for words. So sad to see the Huron community lose such a fine young man. Makes us all take a step back. My heart goes out to his family, Chris and all who knew him.
-bn