Blood-alcohol test: Ousted Richland councilman beyond limit

A blood test indicated a former Richland County councilman’s blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit when he was involved in a wreck that injured two people.

S.C. Department of Public Safety released the collision report Thursday from a Feb. 27 wreck involving Kelvin Washington following a Freedom of Information Act request by The State newspaper. The report listed Kelvin Washington’s blood-alcohol content as 0.19. Driving with a reading of 0.08 or more in South Carolina is evidence of intoxication.

Washington told law enforcement he had consumed one beer. He refused to provide law enforcement with a blood sample after he was taken to a hospital after the Bluff Road wreck in which he hit another car from behind as it was making a turn. The Highway Patrol obtained a search warrant for his blood and urine.

The driver of the other vehicle in the wreck sustained serious injuries and had to undergo surgery. A 19-year-old passenger in that vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Washington was indicted Wednesday by a Richland County grand jury on a felony charge of driving under the influence with great bodily harm.

He was released on a $25,000 bond the day after the wreck.

Gov. Nikki Haley removed Washington from his council seat Wednesday through an executive order for his failure to file tax returns for three years, not the DUI charge.

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 11:14 AM.