Driver ticketed in April crash that injured Charleston police officer on James Island

The driver of a sport-utility vehicle that struck a Charleston Police Department officer early last month has been fined $82 for speeding through the scene of a traffic crash.

Garrett Gledhill, 35, of James Island was ticketed for driving a vehicle at a greater speed than is reasonable under the conditions, S.C. Highway Patrol Cpl. Bob Beres said today.

Officer James Foster, 40, suffered a skull fracture April 3 when he was hit by Gledhill’s Kia SUV.

The 15-year veteran of law enforcement was directing traffic around a crash scene at Folly and Fort Johnson roads. It was dark, but Foster was wearing a reflective vest and using a flashlight when witnesses said the Kia’s driver failed to follow Foster’s commands to slow down.

Foster was taken to Medical University Hospital, where police officials said he was steadily recovering. He has been a Charleston police officer since September 2011.

His current condition was not immediately available Thursday.

According to court records, Gledhill was ticketed for speeding in 2011 and has 2003 convictions for possessing Ecstasy and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.

Reach Andrew Knapp at 937-5414 or twitter.com/offlede.