SCHP: Alcohol a factor in early Friday fatal collision, victim identified

South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers have charged a suspect with felony DUI following a Lexington County collision early Friday morning that killed 44-year-old Valerie D. Rhodes of Gaston, S.C.

Officials said 21-year-old Derious Tahmas Sutton, of Gaston, has been charged with felony driving under the influence resulting in death.

Lance Cpl. David Jones, a highway patrol spokesman, said the collision occurred in the northbound lanes of U.S. 321 north of Pineridge Drive.

Rhodes was northbound on the Charleston Highway when her vehicle was struck by Sutton’s vehicle, which was heading in the wrong direction in the northbound lane, Lexington County coroner Margaret Fisher said in a news release.

This story was originally published February 5, 2016 at 8:09 AM with the headline "SCHP: Alcohol a factor in early Friday fatal collision, victim identified."