Woman charged in Midlands-area crash that killed parents, seriously injured kids
A woman was arrested following a multi-vehicle crash on a Midlands-area road that killed a couple whose children were back-seat passengers in the wreck.
A day after Saturday night’s wreck, Paris Jones was charged with multiple crimes, including hit-and-run, jail records show.
The 25-year-old Denmark woman was driving a 2007 Chrysler 300 that collided with a 2015 Nissan, according Cpl. Sonny Collins of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The driver of the Nissan, 41-year-old Delanie P. Murphy, and the front-seat passenger, 29-year-old Dave R. Chavis Jr., died at the scene, Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables said in a news release.
The Williston residents’ two children were also passengers in the vehicle and were seriously injured, Ables said. The children were taken to Augusta University Medical Center, and were listed in serious condition, according to the release.
Further information on their condition was not available.
The crash happened at about 9 p.m. on Charleston Highway, according to the release. The road also known as U.S. 78 runs through Windsor and is less than 50 miles south of Columbia.
Murphy was heading east on the road when she made a left-hand turn and the Nissan she was driving was hit by the Chrysler headed in the opposite direction on U.S. 78, Collins said.
Both Murphy and Chavis were wearing seat belts, according to Ables, who said their autopsies are scheduled for Monday in Newberry.
A passenger in the Chrysler suffered minor injuries, according to Collins. No other injuries were reported.
Jail records show Jones was arrested just before 11 p.m. Sunday.
She was taken to the Aiken County Detention Center, where jail records show Jones was charged with:
▪ Two counts of hit and run, duties of driver involved in accident with death
▪ Two counts of hit and run, duties of driver involved in accident
▪ Driving under suspension (not for DUI)
▪ Open container of beer or wine in motor vehicle
No bond was set for Jones, who remains behind bars, according to jail records.
The wreck is being investigated by Highway Patrol.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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