Two boys killed in crash where driver was charged with DUI, SC officials say
Two bicycle riders were killed Sunday when they were hit by a car that ran off the road, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office identified the bicycle riders as 9-year-old Mikhail-Lee Smith and 12-year-old Dereon James Robins, WHNS reported.
At about 12:20 p.m., they were riding bicycles on a sidewalk on the eastbound side of Asheville Highway, said Lance Cpl. Brittany Glover of the Highway Patrol. Near the intersection with Brock Street, a 2016 Honda Accord that was driving east on Asheville Highway ran off the road and crashed into the bicycles, according to Glover.
Both boys were taken to an area hospital where they died from the injuries they suffered in the collision, Glover said.
There were two people in the Honda, and one of them was hurt and taken to a hospital, according to Glover. Further information on that person’s condition was not available, and it was not clear if it was the driver or passenger.
The driver was identified as Eri Otoniel Roblero Perez, according to WYFF.
Roblero Perez was charged with two counts of felony DUI (death results), open container of beer or wine in motor vehicle and driving without a license, Spartanburg County court records show. No bond has been set for Roblero Perez, who’s being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center.
Despite the arrest, the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.
Through April 5, at least 195 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2026, according to the state Department of Public Safety. A minimum of 914 people were killed in collisions in South Carolina in 2025, DPS data shows.
At least 18 people have died in Spartanburg County crashes this year, and 74 people died in wrecks there in 2025, according to DPS data.
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This story was originally published April 13, 2026 at 11:50 AM.
