16-year-old SUV driver charged in golf cart crash that killed Rock Hill teen, police say
The 16-year-old male driver of an SUV in a deadly collision with a golf cart in July has been charged with reckless homicide, Rock Hill police said.
Officers charged the teen Monday as a juvenile after a month-long investigation by the police accident reconstruction team, the Rock Hill Police Department said in a written statement. A 15-year-old girl died in the crash.
The identity of the teen charged has not been released because of his age.
The teen was driving a Honda SUV over the speed limit at the time of the crash on Laurel Creek Drive around 10 p.m. on July 25, police said in the statement.
“The speed of the vehicle at the time of the collision showed a reckless disregard for the safety of others,” the statement said.
Police did not say what the speed limit is on the street, or how fast the SUV driver was allegedly traveling.
Rock Hill High School student killed
Marlie Sullivan, 15, died in the crash. She was a rising 10th grader at Rock Hill High School and an accomplished dancer. Hundreds of people commented on social media after her death about Marlie’s generous character.
Six people were on the golf cart that flipped during the collision, police said. Three others on the cart were injured, according to police.
Police declined to release any other information about the decision to charge the SUV driver, citing the defendant’s age and court status as a juvenile.
Prosecutors with the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office confirmed to The Herald their office was consulted about the case, but declined comment about the charge or any details about the crash.
It is unclear when the charged teen will make a first appearance in York County Family Court. It is also unclear if he has a lawyer or will be assigned a public defender.
Juveniles charged with crimes in Family Court typically face potential punishment, if convicted, that would end at age 22 or before.
This story was originally published August 26, 2024 at 3:48 PM.
