A July 4 crash on Rock Hill's 700 block of Finley Road has turned fatal, and police say the driver of a car that turned left into a residence is now facing charges after colliding with a moped rider who later died at the hospital.
Driver Charged After Finley Road Fatal Wreck
Rock Hill Police identified the driver as 35-year-old Jeremy Durham. Investigators say he was behind the wheel of a Ford Fusion that turned left in front of an oncoming moped on Finley Road, striking the rider.
The moped rider was taken from the scene with life-threatening injuries and later died at the hospital, according to Queen City News.
Durham is charged with failure to yield the right of way and driving under suspension, Rock Hill police said. The case is being prepared for review by prosecutors.
What Those Charges Mean In South Carolina
In South Carolina, driving while your license is suspended is a criminal offense, not just a traffic ticket. State law also generally requires moped operators to have either a valid driver's license or a moped operator's license.
Penalties can depend on the circumstances and the driver’s history, and prosecutors will decide whether to pursue any additional charges as the investigation develops. As explained in the state code, the South Carolina Legislature outlines the rules for moped licensing, registration and related penalties.
Why Left Turns Are So Dangerous For Riders
Left-turn collisions, where a car turns into the path of an oncoming motorcycle or moped, are a familiar nightmare scenario for two-wheel riders. When a driver fails to yield, the person on the bike often has only a split second to react, and that window is usually not enough.
Federal crash analyses and state highway-safety reports have repeatedly found that other drivers' failure to yield is a leading factor in many multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes. See NHTSA for national and state data on failure-to-yield trends.
Rock Hill police say their investigation into the Finley Road crash is ongoing, and the case will be forwarded to prosecutors for review. Officials have not yet released the identity of the moped rider. This story will be updated if additional charges are filed or authorities release more information.
