Felony DUI is new charge in crash case

GOOSE CREEK -- A 26-year-old woman accused of hitting two city firefighters with her car in October is now charged with felony DUI after authorities said one firefighter's injuries were more serious than originally believed.

Jessica Lynn Lanier of Goose Creek was originally charged with DUI after S.C. Highway Patrol troopers said she struck the firefighters as they were working at the site of a car crash on Oct. 19.

Highway Patrol Cpl. Bob Beres said she was arrested on the upgraded charge Thursday based on one of the fire fighters' injuries.

She was released on her own recognizance from the Berkeley County jail Friday morning, according to court records. Her attorney could not be reached.

Goose Creek fire Capt. Michael Althoff, 45, and firefighter Christopher Harrison, 31, were working an accident on U.S. Highway 176 near the Walmart store shortly after midnight when they were struck by a car heading west, Beres said.

Both men suffered leg injuries, according to a Goose Creek police report.

Lanier told police she drank three beers in three hours that night, the report said.

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