Berkeley teen dies in single-car wreck
The Post and Courier
Darrell Estep
MONCKS CORNER — One teenager is dead and another is charged with felony DUI after an early Sunday crash in rural Berkeley County.
Darrell Estep, a 17-year-old Berkeley High School senior who played football and wrestled, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 2:50 a.m. wreck, Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Salisbury said.
Three others, including the driver, were hurt and taken to local hospitals.
Highway Patrol Cpl. Bob Beres said the driver, Christopher Michael Douglass, 18, of Moncks Corner is charged with felony driving under the influence.
Authorities say the crash occurred on Cooper Store Road, near S.C. Highway 6, about five miles west of Moncks Corner.
Beres said the 4-door Ford sedan was heading east on Cooper Store Road when it ran off the right side and struck a highway sign and then a tree.
Douglass was flown to Medical University Hospital, where he was listed in fair condition, a spokeswoman said.
Another passenger, Steven Richard Johnson, 18, of Moncks Corner was taken by ambulance. He was listed in good condition.
The fourth passenger's name and condition were not available late Sunday.
Jerry Brown, head football coach for Berkeley High School, said Estep was the only football player he knew of who was in the car.
He said the defensive lineman hasn't played much this year after suffering an injury in a scrimmage, but that he worked hard in practice and enjoyed competing.
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majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
Same thing happened in Lexington county at about the same time. One dead, one charged with felony dui.
October 20, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lexylady (anonymous) says...
It is such a sad thing, and my heart goes out to the families. May the good Lord be with you in your time of sorrow and grief.
October 20, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
This is a very tragic,sad situation. My condolences go out to the families involved. We need to start a hardcore program for teens. Something that will hit home. Have family members of the deceased come and speak,have the coroner speak and show pictures of young DUI victims,etc. Kids,teens especially need more than the "don't do that its bad" approach. They need an in your face shocking approach.
October 20, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
This was kid still in school yet out at 3am? Did his parents know he was out? Did he sneak out?
Not just being nosey..this information coudl serve as a reminder or a warning to other parents. Know where your kids are and who they are with as much as posssible.
October 20, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
keepinitreal (anonymous) says...
suec,
If a young person is intent on getting out, they will find a way unless you are prepared to sleep handcuffed to them. And unless you are with them every second, you cannot screen every interaction they have. Even some of the best taught children with model parents can/do go astray as well as some of the worst parented children are capable of doing the right things. It's all about CHOICES.
October 20, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
back2u (anonymous) says...
Suec, Wouldn't an early Sunday crash of 2:50am basically mean Saturday night? The school he would be missing out on by being out this late (and this is ever so important nowadays, especially in this situation) would be Sunday School at his local church.
October 20, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wood_floors (anonymous) says...
This is so sad. I remember being this age and I thought I was invinable, nothing could harm me!!! I have a 16 year old daughter and she is terrified of drinking and driving. It's a huge concern of hers (thank goodness)! In fact, many times she's had friends stop by the house on Friday or Saturday night that were out drinking and asked if they could stay the night because she did not want her friends drinking and driving. My husband and I immediately took their keys and called their parents to advise them of the situation and not once have I had a parent not allow their child to stay.
Parents...keep a close watch on your teens and their friends. If someone is at your home and they appear to be under the influence, take their car keys and keep them safe. I cannot imagine what these families are going through. And your correct, keepinitreal, these teens made a bad choice and unfortunately, it will affect them as well as their families for the rest of their lives!
My deepest condolences to all involved in this tragedy.
October 20, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scfirefly (anonymous) says...
Too many parents tolerate underage binge drinking. They think it's a rite of passage 'cause they all did it. Until every parent forbids not just drinking and driving but any underage drinking, we will continue to see more deaths and lives ruined.
And for the record, I legally binged in college but I thank God my 18 year old child at USC is disgusted by the drunkeness and all the waste, noise and vomit that goes with it.
October 20, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
keepinit, by "in school" I meant school age...a minor.
I know you can't keep teenagers in if they are intent on getting out and if they have the parents totally fooled. But there are parents out there who are more focused on being "cool" than on their child's safety.
October 20, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katrenavantassle (anonymous) says...
This is sad. My condolences to the families involved.
keepinitreal...let me remind you and others that no matter what your "minor" child is doing...YOU ARE STILL LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM. I know this because the courts say you are. Parents can be held responisble for their childrens actions. Lets keep remembering that.
October 20, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
keepinitreal (anonymous) says...
katrena,
I in no way meant that because I or any other parent cannot always be in a child's 'circle of influence' that I am in any way shunning my responsibility. I am simply saying that what a child, or adult for that matter, has CHOSEN to retain from those around him/her reflects in what they CHOOSE to do. Until we find a way to have "stepford" children......
October 20, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JasonBrown (anonymous) says...
Like my dad always told me. Nothing good comes about doing after midnight if it wasn't something you can be doing before midnight. I don't care how old my child is. 3 am is late. Where is the curfew. And sure if a child wants to sneak out he will find a way. He will only do this once because they have to come home sometime and the consequences will be great if you live in my house. It was for me and it will be for my son. Whatever happened to harsh parenting when the time called for it? All the PC parenting has gotten us to this point. It is a sad day to lose a young person and another who will pay the rest of his life for one stupid decision. I have seen it many times in my line of work (ff/paramedic). Parents, you need to keep track of your kids and what they are doing at all times. Otherwise when the local chaplain comes to your house or the SCHP shows up, they will inform you and you might not like what they have to say.
October 20, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pegrochay (anonymous) says...
My daughter attends Berkeley High. Her boyfriend was with Darrell at the same party. He offered him a ride, Darrell chose to ride with Chris. A lot of bad decisions and enough blame to go around. I pray that all will learn from these bad decisions and all will support those left behind. My condolences to Darrell's family.
October 20, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
Whoever held this party should be charged as well.
October 20, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
You are so right Prosperous. How did they get the alcohol, and who was the adult chaperoning the party? If we are going to hold bars responsible, we also need to hold whoever threw this party responsible as well.
October 20, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
michaelg (anonymous) says...
thank you to the people who offered their sympathy to the family,without adding any disparaging remarks...towards the CHILD(he was 17) or the parents.
this is a whole new day and a 17 year old out,ON HIS WAY HOME, at that time of night is not unusual. i did it back in 1979.
some of you imply that Buddy was drinking......i have not heard that in any news reports.
apparently, on wednesday, at Berkley High School, about 2,000 young adults are going to honor the memory of Buddy.
he must have been really SOMETHING!!!!!! actually, i KNOW he was REALLY SOMETHING.
so,please people, just sympathy....not judgement.
I AM PROUD TO BE HIS UNCLE and my heart is broken.
MG
October 20, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rhodeislandred (anonymous) says...
Our hearts and prayers go out to the family members in this difficult time. I have two sons who live in Moncks Corner, my youngest was proud to play football on the same team as this young man. Will there be a memorial fund set up to accept donations?
On another note, a family and community are in mourning because of this catastrophic event. When a family is in a crisis like this I would hope the good citizens of the Low Country would show some class and have some respect for the family and keep their inappropriate comments to themselves. Now is not the time, nor is this story the format to debate whether teenagers follow curfew or if some thing else should be done to curb underage drinking. Once again our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the family and the community.
October 20, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scfirefly (anonymous) says...
This is not a well moderated obituary guestbook with 20 pages of " My thoughts and prayers are with you:"
Yes, my heart breaks for the families but I'm also very, VERY angry!
Here's why:
October 19, 2008
Berkeley County - Michael Douglass, 18, driver in a single car crash killing one passenger. Charged with felony DUI.
October 8, 2008
Pawley's Island - Eugene Miller, 19, driver in a single car crash killing one passenger. Charged with felony DUI.
October 20, 2008
Lancaster County - Anthony Guzzonato, 19, driver in a single car crash killing one passenger. Charged with felony DUI.
How many kids have to die or ruin their lives before the adults say, ENOUGH!
October 20, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
legaleagle (anonymous) says...
I agree with scfirefly I am angry also. Someone needs to be accountable for what happen that morning. I know that the kids that was in that car with Buddy will have to live with this for the rest of their lives and for the driver of that vehicle it is going to take a toll on him. I am not here to place blame on anyone because with life there are choices that can be made to prevent some of the things that happen around us. Why did the party have to last until wee hours of the morning? Where was the adult supervision? How did alcohol get to the party? This needs to be investigated a lot further to reach any sort of sense out of it. Someone needs to pay for this. I know that there are people out there that sell not only alcohol but cigarettes to under age children and that is where it all needs to start. We need to take them down and hold them accountable for their part in all of this.
I hate the fact that someone lost their life and that the others has to face a uphill climb to even try to get over this tragic event but the question that needs to be stated is if you were at the party and Buddy meant the world to you and you know who or where the alcohol came from, now it is your turn to step up to the plate and not let this death be in vain. You say that you are sorry that he is gone but actually how sorry are you if you can't take the responsibility to let the proper authorities know where the alcohol came from.
Look in the mirror and ask yourself this question, "Who is going to be next?" "Will it be me?"
My prayers go out to all that was involved in this tragic accident because I am a mother and nothing can or will ever replace a child in a mother's heart.
May God be with you.
October 20, 2008 at 7:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wood_floors (anonymous) says...
scfirefly - It is heartbreaking to hear such things about our young people. However, how can we all be certain that every teenager is going to make the right choice 100% of the time. Making bad choices is sometimes the only to learn about life's challenges. Most make it through but some don't. Just because a teen was out drinking doesn't automatically mean that his/her parent condone it. It's unfair for you to make that assumption.
My husband and I certainally don't condone underage drinking and don't allow it to happen in our home. Our daughter knows this and respects our rules. However, I'll be damned if I am going to send a child away from my home if they show up after a night of drinking or appear to be under the influence. And I feel certain that if the families involved in this tragedy had known, they certainly would not have allowed these teens to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
We all need to remember that good people make bad decisions and none of us are perfect!!!
michaelg - You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I did not know your nephew but it's obvious he touched the lives of many people in his community.
October 20, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wood_floors (anonymous) says...
legaleagle - you are exactly right! It all needs to start at the source! I am sure that an thorough investigation will be completed and hopefully the authorities will come to some sort of conclusion about where the alcohol came from.
One question...you asked where the adult supervision was...based on what I've read and heard, it appears that adults were present (according to "law"). In this state, I believe 18 is considered an adult. Unfortunately "adult supervision" is not a valid concern or question in this case.
October 20, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
michaelg (anonymous) says...
Thank you wood-floors,
in so many of the posts, while they don't say outright that Buddie's parents are to blame.....it is so clearly implied.
this was a horrible ACCIDENT and as much as my heart goes out to Buddie and his parents/siblings.....i do feel so bad for the driver, whom i do not know.
WE MADE MISTAKES as teens...we just did. and we didn't do it with our parent's approval
i am 47 but i wish i knew the kids that i have seen on the news talking about Buddie's life. my aim is to meet them over the next 2 days of celebration of his life.
thanks,michael
October 20, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scfirefly (anonymous) says...
WF, Your daughter sounds like my daughter. I wish I could take the credit for her good judgement.
I'm not suggesting you should punish or do any thing to discipline the teenagers you know. I just wish that more of the parents of drinking teens would do more to stop it. Are they waiting up at night and smelling their breath? Even if the teen isn't driving, we need to make it less acceptable. Will they take the car keys away and make them ride the bus to school? Are some parents more concerned with how cool and popular their kid is?
Even if you're sure your teenage child doesn't drink, We all should be angry because stone cold sober drivers could have easily been hit and injured.
I know it's impossible to prevent all teen drunk driving accidents but the quantity lately demands we do something.
October 20, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cracker_jack (anonymous) says...
Just out of curiousity, does anyone know if there was possibly someone standing in the roadway that may have caused the driver of this car to swerve off the road? I know the driver was dui, but I'm wondering if there was something else that could have contributed to this accident. My condolences to the families.
October 20, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wood_floors (anonymous) says...
scfirefly - I agree with you 100%. We, as parents must take responsibilty for our children. However, in this case, we have to remember the age of the people involved. They were certainly old enough to make their own decisions. And as I've stated, good people make bad decisions.
This type of tragedy is something we should all be discussing at the dinner table or on our way to school or just when we have a few extra minutes to spend with our children. And it should start at a young age.
It may also be benfical for the schools to step in and have some serious intervention. Videos, open forum discussions, assemblies...bringing an actual vehicle involed in a DUI accident and fatality along with the surviving family members of the deceased...Anything would work but it has to be done with a "no holds barred" attitude.
At this age, it has to be "in their faces" and most times an outside source can deliver the message better than any parent. I know when I was 16, 17, 18...my parents were the dumbest people I knew...boy was I wrong!!!
October 20, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
legaleagle (anonymous) says...
WF, I agree with you and will also state that good people make bad choices and the choices made that night is going to be played over and over in the remaining individuals lives. I only hope that they don't let what has happened ruin their lives. I hope that they get into some sort of counseling and deal with what has happened. Everybody needs to understand that we have all made bad choices and there is no one that is perfect and I know that there are readers out there that at one point in your life have driven a vehicle after drinking and we have all been lucky that nothing happened while we were under the wheel. Now it is time that we sit our children down and tell them and even if we have to show them (videos) we need to let them know that ramifications will happen if you drive while under the influence.
None of us can say that we know what our children are doing 24hrs a day but we would hope and pray that whatever they are doing that they come back home safe and sound.
Parents now it is time that we step up and get invovled in our children's lives. We need to let them know that we care what they do.
I know that drinking and driving is wrong and believe me the driver of that car has to live with that for the rest of his life but you also have to understand that everybody else in that car made a choice to get in that car with him. Enough of the blame game now it is time to come together and start the healing process.
Parents love your child and tell them everyday because none of knows when will be the last time that we will see our child again. Keep our children safe and all we can do is teach them right and wrong because once they reach a certain age then it is all on them but we still need to love them no matter what.
October 21, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Alesue (anonymous) says...
My prayers go out to all families involved. It was a tragic accident, all were victims. It just so happened Chris was driving, but hearing this story, any one of them could have been behind the wheel. I think it is wrong the way everyone is persecuting Chris. Where were All the parents? These boys had no business being out at 3:00AM or at a party where alcohol was being served to minors. Focus needs to be placed on that party, where it was held and everyone in attendance. That is where the persecution should start.
October 21, 2008 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
michaelg (anonymous) says...
ALESUE,
THE FIRST PART OF YOUR POST IS PROBABLY CLOSE TO THE TRUTH...BUT THE ENDING IS JUST UNINFORMED....YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENENED THAT NIGHT OR IF ANYTHING WAS "BEING SERVED". UNTIL YOU KNOW FOR SURE, IF YOU EVER DO, JUST LEAVE THE WORDING AT THE END OF YOUR POST OUT. THERE IS NO PLACE FOR THAT......IT WAS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT THAT ON THESE HORRIBLE ROADS COULD HAVE HAPPENED SOBER AT 4 PM. I DON'T KNOW CHRIS BUT I BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART THAT HE DID NOT WANT ANYTHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN....JUST LEAVE THE PARENTS OUT OF THIS...... NOBODY EXPECTED THIS OR WANTED THIS!
YOU SAID "BUT HEARING THIS STORY".....WHO DID YOU HEAR IT FROM?? AND THERE IS NO ROOM FOR YOUR KIND OF JUDGEMENT IN PRAYER......I'M SORRY FOR GETTING SO MAD BUT THERE'S NO TIME FOR BLAME.
MICHAELG
October 23, 2008 at 12:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Alesue (anonymous) says...
If nothing was being served then why the charge? It was a tragic accident and like I said I feel for all the boys.I am well informed but I will not tell you how. I believe no one expected or wanted this either but how fair is it that people are ready to hang the driver, when "they all" made a choice to get in that car, "they all" had been drinking and no one at that party cared enough to stop them. It was 3:00 am.
October 23, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
michaelg (anonymous) says...
alesue,
i have to apologize for the harshness of my post. and now i am informed by people(i'm 47) that typing in CAPS means that i was yelling. i just happenened to be in CAPS from another site. sorryabout that too. but when i read all the posts on this site where parents are blamed(by the way i had just left that road and tree when i saw your post....so i was very emotional). i just love buddie's family, for reasons i won't go into, and i cannot read ONE more thing blaming any parents. perhaps bad choices were made but these were KIDS. if i could take back evey bad choice i made at 17 or 18 or 25, i would be in a much better place myself.
i wish NO ill-will towards that driver and i know that if he doesn't even have to be prosecuted or persecuted he will suffer this in his mind for a long time, if not forever. i DO NOT know him, but i'll bet nobody can punish or hurt him more than he is hurting himself.
look above your post to legaleagle's.....that's more of what this comment post needs.
sorry again if i was too harsh.....i just can't bare the blaming.
michaelg
October 23, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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