Ghost walk turns into scary story
By Nadine Parks
A group of tourists on a walking ghost tour of downtown Charleston on Tuesday night now have a spooky story of their own to tell.
The Post and Courier
A car drove onto the sidewalk on Meeting Street on Monday and into a group on a ghost tour.
They were at the Four Corners of Law when a woman lost control of her new car, which jumped the curb and mowed through the middle of the tour group on the sidewalk. Fortunately, only two people were hurt; and their injuries appeared to be minor, authorities said.
The group of perhaps two dozen visitors at about 8 p.m. had just left the Charleston County Courthouse on Broad Street, where they heard the tale of a pair of serial killers. Then they made their way through the intersection and walked in the darkness along the sidewalk on Meeting Street alongside City Hall.
They heard a squeal and turned to see a cherry-red sports car coming straight at them. The Mazda MX5 plowed into the tourists, who scattered as best they could.
Cindy Dougherty, 52, of New Jersey, said she grabbed her 75-year-old mother, Marlyn Malloy, and pulled her out of the way.
The mother and daughter said they narrowly escaped injury but that the two women in front of them were struck and thrown across the sidewalk.
"We were right behind them," Malloy said. "It was very upsetting."
It was also a close call for Oaks Bourne, 22, of West Ashley.
"We almost became part of the ghost tour," he said.
Deborah Rutlin, 45, said she bought the car in August but had only driven it a few times. She said she attends the College of Charleston and lives downtown, so she usually rides her bicycle.
As she tried to make the turn from Broad Street to Meeting Street, she accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the clutch, Rutlin said.
John Webber, 31, of Spartanburg, said Rutlin apologized to the group.
Charleston police Senior Patrolman Dustin Thompson said Rutlin told him she had one drink but that she passed a field sobriety test. He deemed her responsible for the accident in a report but did not ticket her.
Bulldog Tours owner John La Verne refunded all of the tourists their $18 fee. Some of them continued on with the ghost tour, but others called it a night.
La Verne said he was just happy the accident wasn't any worse.
"We don't need any more ghost stories," he said.
Reach Nadine Parks at 937-5573 or nparks@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
SomeTruthPlease (anonymous) says...
Ms. Rutlin-perhaps driving is not for you. I am sorry to say that, but seeing your car on the sidewalk is enough to support my argument.
December 3, 2008 at 3:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhalfen (anonymous) says...
"We almost became part of the ghost tour" -- that's just hysterical! Sorry to hear it in this context, but so true... ;-)
December 3, 2008 at 4:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
EqualityB4theLawThinkAgain (anonymous) says...
So...someone explain why this woman wasn't ticketed?
December 3, 2008 at 5:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ironhorse (anonymous) says...
She wasn't ticketed because she had a good excuse. "You see Officer, I lost the signal on my cell phone and the next thing I know...."
December 3, 2008 at 6:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
On a side note... when you take this "ghost tour", do they issue you a t-shirt that says "I'm with stupid" and has an arrow pointing straight up?
December 3, 2008 at 6:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
that stood out to me as well, why wasn't she ticketed? my God i have gotten tickets for a lot less!
December 3, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DanniD (anonymous) says...
Brake, I mean gas, Oh wait I mean clutch...OMG I don't know how to drive stick!!! What a dufus!
December 3, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
No ticket? Not sure I undrestand that...she must be cute.
December 3, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
The scary part is her confusing the clutch with the accelerator. Is she one-legged. I wonder what she thinks that thing between the clutch and accelerator is. She evidently has not figured out what that round thing is that she was holding onto. DMV driving tests should be given in vehicles with manual transmissions.
December 3, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
3olivesmike (anonymous) says...
Or if you pass the test on an automatic, your license should be restricted to automatic. This would be fine for at least 3/4s of all drivers. Driving a stick takes practice. I taught both my daughters manual and now they can drive anything but they were awful at first. And so was I come to think of it.
December 3, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
Hmm perhaps they should have ticketed the pedestrians for not yielding the right of way to a driver who obviously cannot drive!
December 3, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekboy (anonymous) says...
Posted by ColdBud on December 3, 2008 at 6:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
On a side note... when you take this "ghost tour", do they issue you a t-shirt that says "I'm with stupid" and has an arrow pointing straight up?
====================================
LOL... I was thinking the same thing.
December 3, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
How ironic. Yesterday they were ticketing people left and right for parking violations. But you mow down some fn tourists and you're sent on your way??! LMAO
December 3, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kerry (anonymous) says...
Her Mazda goes Zoom - Zoom - Boom!
December 3, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proudmomma (anonymous) says...
So where are all the folks that claim the SC drivers are the worst?
December 3, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tch489 (anonymous) says...
I was on the ghost tour last night with my boyfriend and we narrowly escaped this maniac.
She is not one legged, she is not cute, she is just plain stupid.
She apologized to the group but showed no remorse and let me tell you there was just something not right about this lady. My boyfriend said after she stepped out of the car he saw her pop something into her mouth...
I just moved to Charleston on Sunday and I'm dissappointed at the way this was handled. It could have been a lot worse but the police just gave her every right to do this again and make it worse. How many lives does this lady have to put in jeapordy before she gets punished? Apparently 15 wasn't enough...
Ms. Rutlin, if you're reading this just know that me and my boyfriend are going to be armed with sticks when you're biking downtown next. You are the dumbest person I have ever encountered and you better thank your lucky stars you got a slap on the wrist. Talk about dumb luck...
December 3, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Reader (anonymous) says...
No way that she was simply confused about what pedal does what job. I presume the that the gas and clutch are in the same positions on Mazdas as every other car made. What does having a new car have to do with the confusion?
I'll bet $100 that she was turning left with one hand while holding a cell phone with her other hand. She either couldn't turn the steering wheel enough to make the turn or she let it go to reposition her hand and it sprung back.
December 3, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
I taught my kids in stick shift vehicles...and my sister-in-law. Only my sister-in-law put me in the ditch once, but we were able to push it back out and continue. She eventually got it. My wife, bless her heart, could even drive a farm tractor when I met her.
December 3, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
tch489, did you get a t-shirt??????
:)
December 3, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charleston_21 (anonymous) says...
That's funny how she didn't get a ticket for hitting two people but I get an $86 ticket for going 35 in a 30?
December 3, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beenya_toolong (anonymous) says...
armed with sticks? That sounds like a threat. Maybe you and your boyfriend should just move back to where ever the hell you came from.
December 3, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
YankeeLady (anonymous) says...
Hey, I received a citation (later dismissed) for an accident in which I wasn't at fault. Lost a day's pay to go to court. Why wasn't this driver ticketed? Maybe being a cutie college student with a little red sports car made all the difference.
December 3, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
a 45 year old college student that might have looked 20 something YankeeLady..hehehe
December 3, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rggr (anonymous) says...
The gas pedal and the clutch are not even next to each other! She'll go crazy if she ever has to find the brake. This is basic driving and should be enough to make you have to take a driving test again.
December 3, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
americanheretic (anonymous) says...
Hey,beenya why don't you sic the KKK on them!
December 3, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
If I were the female driver, I would have just claimed that a ghost made me do it. It's not like anyone in the crowd could have complained about the explanation after spending $18 to take a ghost tour .
FYI, if you are in to ghost, I can take you down town and show you just as many ghost as this tour does. I'll only charge... let's see... $12 a person! That's a bargain AND it gets me an 18 pack of Bud Light every time someone takes the tour!
While I make fun of the people on the tour (because they deserve it), I also believe that the driver should have been ticketed.
We need a SC State license plate with a picture of Casper the Ghost and the words "I Believe" under the picture:
If you want to see a real old ghost, just tune your TV to the channel that shows the Charleston County School Board meetings and watch Ravenel in action. That man acts like he's been dead for centuries:
Maybe the driver was just trying to find a place to park that didn't have a high priced parking meter in front of it?
I saw a ghost put some chewing gum on a street light pole downtown:
December 3, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Satanssybil2007 (anonymous) says...
Charleston_21 were you ticketed in Mt Pleasant, SI or IOP?? ha ha ha
tch489 you have been here 2.5 days and you have already threatened someone, um down here in the south, in this state, a written or verbal threat issued towards another person carries a jail term!! you might want to go back to where it is you drove in from on your broom!!
December 3, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flinsc (anonymous) says...
Down here you can't even play Monopoly without a raid on your house. The thing is you can do anything you want down here as long as you know the right people.
December 3, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
She, passed a filed sobriety test, the car failed it.
December 3, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Confuzzled (anonymous) says...
No careless driving ticket ? I don't understand why this woman did not receive a ticket. She could have killed someone ! What is wrong with law enforcement these days ?
December 3, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
filed? (field)
December 3, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
YankeeLady (anonymous) says...
Oops! UrGatorBait, you're right - missed the lady's age, but hey, it was dark out.
December 3, 2008 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
tch489: "Ms. Rutlin, if you're reading this just know that me and my boyfriend are going to be armed with sticks when you're biking downtown next. You are the dumbest person I have ever encountered and you better thank your lucky stars you got a slap on the wrist. Talk about dumb luck..."
I think I know one person dumber than Ms. Rutlin. That would be the person and her boyfriend who will be "armed with sticks". That sounds like a threat and it is posted on a public website for all to see. "Talk about dumb luck...." or just plain dumb! Lol!
December 3, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
"If you want to see a real old ghost, just tune your TV to the channel that shows the Charleston County School Board meetings and watch Ravenel in action. That man acts like he's been dead for centuries:"
CB, I that was priceless. I can see Cousin Arthur now doing his ghostly duties!!!!!!!! Booooooooo
December 3, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MsPiggy (anonymous) says...
I would suggest before Ms. Rutlin decides she wants a nice new toy sports car, to learn how to drive that thing propery! Especially if she lives downtown! I can imagine driving a stick in a place like downtown Chas would be nothing short of a nightmare. I used to keep my truck in 1st gear at a light until I realized DUH I can put it in neutral. Don't laugh people, I developed really strong legs during that time! ;-)
Ghost Tours are a ripoff and I can find a cooler way to blow 18 bucks.
December 3, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
letstakeawalk (anonymous) says...
I am a walking tour guide, and giving Ghost Tours is a major part of our business. I understand the good-natured joking about the subject matter, but it's the same kind of thing as telling stories around the campfire. Besides, who do you think we get the stories from? If locals didn't believe in them, we wouldn't have anything to talk about.
Anyway, the first 10 minutes of any tour I give is a heads-up to my guests. First I tell them about the horrible sidewalks, and how important it is to watch their step for broken bottles, dog poop, and vomit (on the weekends typically). I then point out that we will be crossing streets with presumably drunk drivers. I usually get a gasp, but it's better to prepare the tourists for the worst. I explain how Charleston drivers speed, don't stop for crosswalks, don't signal turns, don't stop for red lights, and how they often choose to go the wrong way on one-way streets. I then reassure them that dealing with Charleston sidewalks and streets will be the scariest part of the tour. Some nights I even give odds on the likelihood of any of my warnings coming to pass - I'm often shown to be correct.
That said, I know Mr. LaVerne, and even though we are competitors in our business, I respect how he handled the situation. I hope his guide is ok as well (I'm sure I'll hear about this today around the watering hole).
Remember, we tour guides are just working stiffs. We want to show our beautiful town to people, and we have fun sharing our stories and traditions (even those that might be a bit silly and childish like believing in ghosts). We do face unusual challenges in our jobs - how many of ya'll have to avoid drunk middle-age women throwing their convertibles at you?
December 3, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Mine are only $12 MsPiggy :)
December 3, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
letstakeawalk (anonymous) says...
We only charge $12 as well. That includes the City's 50 cent tax for each person who walks on the sidewalks. I'd invite anyone who'd like to find out why ghost tours are so popular to visit our stand on the corner of North Market and East Bay (in front of the candy store), or inquire at the Griffon Pub.
December 3, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
walleyedwoman1215 (anonymous) says...
"...She is not one legged, she is not cute, she is just plain stupid." That cracked me up. So did the vision of two people with sticks lurking in an alley waiting for Ms. Mazda to pedal past!!
Glad no one was hurt. Did they get free beer? :-)
December 3, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Ok, my tours are now only $10... so much for the full 18 pack.
December 3, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MsPiggy (anonymous) says...
walk,
Griffon's used to be a favorite spot to eat in Chas. within my family circle. They have some killer nachos.
I heard a rumor (which may not be a rumor after all) that Griffon's was haunted. Something along the lines of the TV's would have distorted images out of nowhere, and that the image would be flipped upside down. That would happen at different times among all of the TV's in the bar. Is that farfetched, or is there some truth to it?
December 3, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DCartisan (anonymous) says...
The guide should sue her for lost wages. He was already in his tour when this happened & was generous enough to give a full refund. She should be ticketed and made to pay for the lost revenue.
It is ridiculous that she was not ticketed. P&C should do some research into why this was so.
December 3, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
letstakeawalk (anonymous) says...
Well, Ms. Piggy, I can absolutely, positively, and truthfully tell you this: the Griffon is filled with spirits. ;)
They now have satellite TV for football and other sports. The only reception problem occurs when it rains and the signal gets dropped.
December 3, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
letstakeawalk (anonymous) says...
I would never discourage you from sharing your knowledge, CB, but you should be aware that you have just violated City Ordinance #2007-203 (Chapter 29, Article III, Section 29-58).
"No person shall act or offer to act as a tour guide in the city for hire unless he or she has first passed a written and an oral examination and is licensed by the city's office of tourism management as a registered tour guide or a temporary tour guide."
Oh well, it isn't like the City's actually going to ENFORCE a law it has on the books, so I doubt you have anything to worry about. LOL
December 3, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bpwnz (anonymous) says...
No tickets fines or lawsuits? I'd hate to see her put that thing in a parking garage downtown. Who taught this woman to drive stick? How does one confuse the gas and clutch? With the brake pedal in between and the fact that you use two different feet this just sounds like careless driving. Ms. Rutlin please stick to two wheels, you're a danger to us all.
December 3, 2008 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
letstakeawalk, as is usually the case, my comments were in humor anyway :)
That's an interesting ordinance though. I guess that means that all of the school bus drivers in the city are licensed tour guides? Based on Webster's definition of a tour, they'd have to be: "a journey for business, pleasure, or education often involving a series of stops and ending at the starting point". :)
As far as "drunk middle-age women throwing their convertibles at you"... I see you know my ex-wife...
December 3, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Satanssybil2007 (anonymous) says...
OUCH coldbud i could say the same thing referencing my ex-husband if only it was a harley.......
December 3, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
letstakeawalk (anonymous) says...
The City does define touring within its own codes:
"Tour or touring shall mean the conducting of or the participation in sightseeing in the districts for hire or in combination with a request for donations."
So unless the bus driver is asking for $$$, they're in the clear. Of course, taxis, limos, and the bicycle rickshaws are notorious for flouting the law.
Every large bus that enters the City (for the purpose of touring) is required to stop at the Visitor's Info Center on Meeting to get the proper permits. If there will be an actual tour (as opposed to simple transportation to and from a hotel, restaurant, or non-tour activity) they are also required to have a licensed guide on the bus.
December 3, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
green123 (anonymous) says...
coldbud, you can get that 18 pack for a 11.88 at the gas station across from andolini's in west ashley. I frequent that gas station often. haha
December 3, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
I think they're $11.88 everywhere green123... one of the few things that hasn't gone up in price during our economic hard times.
December 3, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MsPiggy (anonymous) says...
Thank God for that, right? ;-)
December 3, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Charleston_21 (anonymous) says...
satanssybil: I was actually ticketed on James Island :) Which is WORSE!
December 3, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ms_lady2u (anonymous) says...
I bet it was a kin folk of the Mayor!
December 3, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JC (anonymous) says...
I moved here several years ago so I have out-of-town visitors periodically and they always want to go on a ghost tour. I happen to like them. For me, it's not about the ghosts. It's about the history that go with those ghosts :) You certainly get to see little nooks and crannies that you wouldn't other wise see or notice. Enought about ghost tours....THIS LADY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TICKETED! WHAT THE HECK WAS THE OFFICE THINKING? APPARENTLY HE WASN'T. I think Chief Mullen needs to have a little sit down. Mowing down tourists...what else would it take? Ohhh and "only had one" my A&&. How many times have you heard that one? How many times have you said that one hehe?
December 3, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DawnM (anonymous) says...
wow she's an idiot.
December 3, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BILLYBOB (anonymous) says...
A LADY TOLD ME THAT WHEN SHE GOT BACK TO HER CAR,THERE WAS A BOOT ON THE WHEEL SINCE THEY WERE LATE GETTING BACK ANED SHE HAD TO PAY THE 50 DOLLARS TO GET IT REMOVED AND THE POLICE WOULD NOT HELP HER WITH HER STORY.
December 3, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chucktonian (anonymous) says...
I guarantee you she was text messaging. This kind of thing is going to start happening A LOT MORE as people can't pull themselves away from the texting nipple.
December 3, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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