She hit a car head-on, killing a Lexington man, cops say. Now she’s charged with DUI

The driver of a car that crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head on, killing a 45-year-old man, has been arrested on a DUI charge, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Lauren M. Dangerfield, 31, was charged with felony DUI resulting in death, possession of a controlled substance and driving under suspension, according to Lance Cpl. David Jones, spokesman for the Highway Patrol.

Dangerfield was driving on Nazareth Road around 7 a.m. Friday when her car crossed the center line into the oncoming lane and hit a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Brian Patrick Orazen, of Lexington, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.

Orazen, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene from his injuries, Fisher said.

Dangerfield was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Fisher said.

She was booked at the Lexington County Detention Center on Tuesday afternoon, Jones said. A mugshot was not immediately available.

Felony DUI resulting in death is a felony that carries up to 25 years in prison, under South Carolina law.

There have been 45 traffic deaths on Lexington County roadways this year, as of Monday, according to the S.C. Department of Public Safety. The county had 25 at this time last year.

This story was originally published July 17, 2018 at 1:51 PM.