– Morrison Drive crash details
– Deadly Morrison Drive accident unfolding.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — Freshly released affidavits shed light on the tragic hit-and-run incident in downtown Charleston that claimed the lives of two young women. The newly revealed details paint a clearer picture of how the fatal crashes involving 20-year-olds Lizzy Zito and Arianna Gamber unfolded on April 28.
The Timeline of Events
1:11 a.m. — Surveillance footage captures 32-year-old Seth Carlson’s pickup truck travelling north on East Bay Street, approximately 0.5 miles from the crash site, with both headlights functioning.
1:12 a.m. — Zito and Gamber were walking north on Morrison Drive in the pedestrian/bicycle lane when a pickup truck swerved out of its lane into the bike lane, striking the victims. The truck then continued north.
Unspecified time — Surveillance video shows the same pickup truck with damage to the front passenger-side headlight around 0.5 miles away from the crash scene.
1:22 a.m. — A witness reports seeing a truck, driven by Carlson, driving erratically on Cosgrove Avenue before crashing into a ditch off Sam Rittenburg Boulevard. The witness approached the driver, later identified as Carlson, who fled the scene.
1:43 a.m. — A second driver, 25-year-old Max Gentilin, was seen travelling north on Morrison Drive when his car veered off the right side of the road, striking the two victims and running onto the curb. The vehicle was later found around 0.3 miles away near the Morrison Yard apartment complex.
8:32 a.m. — Officers responded to reports of a fatal pedestrian crash after a citizen called 9-1-1 to report two unresponsive victims just off the roadway. Zito and Gamber were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Arrests
Days later, on April 30, Gentilin surrendered to the police at 3:15 p.m. He faced charges of two counts of leaving the scene of an accident causing death and was granted a $300,000 surety bond, being released from the Charleston County Detention Center around 11 p.m. on May 2.
Further investigation revealed that the victims were initially struck by another vehicle before being hit by Gentilin. The vehicle involved in the first hit was identified, leading to the arrest of Carlson on May 6. Carlson faced charges of two counts of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and two counts of reckless vehicular homicide. He was granted a $600,000 bond and remained in the Charleston County Detention Center as of Tuesday afternoon.
Understanding the Charges
Leaving the Scene of an Accident Causing Death
Under South Carolina law, a driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death must stop at the scene, exchange information with other drivers, render reasonable aid, and immediately notify law enforcement. Failure to comply with these requirements when the accident results in death is considered a felony, punishable by one to 25 years in prison on each charge.
Reckless Homicide
Reckless vehicular homicide occurs when a driver exhibits reckless disregard for the safety of others, resulting in someone’s death. This offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on each charge. Factors such as excessive speed, impairment, or erratic driving can contribute to a charge of reckless homicide.
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– Deadly Morrison Drive crash
– Morrison Drive crash unfolded.
