Family grieves loss of couple
Teacher, merchant mariner killed in car crash
By Andy Paras
He traveled the world as a merchant mariner. She spent years teaching children here in Charleston.
Together, Johnny and Betty Vice raised six children of their own in an immaculately kept house in North Charleston. On Monday, their children, grandchildren and friends gathered at their home to share hugs, stories and memories of the couple killed Sunday when their car was hit by a car full of men trying to evade police.
Provided
Betty Vice and her husband, Johnny, were killed Sunday after their car was hit by another car that was fleeing from police.
Johnny Vice, 63, was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:10 p.m. Betty, 62, died later at the Medical University Hospital, Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten said.
Authorities said Johnny Vice was driving the couple's Cadillac at Moultrie Street and Ashley Avenue near Hampton Park when it was hit by a 2005 Chrysler as it sped away from a traffic stop.
Charleston Police Public Information Officer Charles Francis, said an officer had stopped the Chrysler for speeding at President and Moultrie streets at 6:52 p.m. As the officer walked toward the car, the Chrysler took off. The officer did not pursue the car, Francis said.
The Chrysler made it about two blocks before it hit the Cadillac.
After the collision, three men inside the Chrysler got out of the car and ran. Francis said at least one of the men was picked up at the scene by a late-model Ford Expedition or Cadillac Escalade.
Francis said the driver was a black man wearing short pants and a green shirt. One passenger was a black man wearing blue jeans and a white tank top. A description of the third man was unavailable.
No one had been arrested as of Monday night.
Three of the couple's four daughters sat in their parents' living room Monday, trying to figure out what happened.
Daughter Deedee Shaw said they think the couple was on one of their typical Sunday drives when they were hit. Her son, who was at the park when it happened, called her and told her, "Grandad is gone."
"Where did he go?" Shaw said she asked her son. She arrived at the hospital later and found out she had lost both parents.
The couple had been high school sweethearts but were both married to someone else for a while until they reunited two decades ago and merged their families. They married nine years ago, said Shaw and sisters Natalee Jackson and Tamara London.
Betty Vice worked as a Charleston County teacher for years before finishing up as a kindergarten teacher at a private school. She finally retired a couple of years ago from Wal-Mart, the sisters said.
Their dad was chief steward aboard a shipping vessel. He had been on vacation from his ship since May and was scheduled to go back to sea in July. He was often gone for five or six months at a time, traveling to places such as China and Africa. He once had served under the same captain who was taken hostage by Somali pirates earlier this year, they said.
The sisters said their dad was an excellent chef who could make a meal out of just about anything.
"He once brought me lobster at work," Shaw said. "What am I going to do with lobster at work?"
Funeral arrangements still were being completed Monday.
Reach Andy Paras at 937-5589 or aparas@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
DollLady (anonymous) says...
What a loss! I am sorry that the family has to go through this. I hope the cowards that did this are caught and get their just rewards.
June 30, 2009 at 6:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Look at all the lives horribly affected by this crime. The cops have the getaway car. Does that help find them.
June 30, 2009 at 7:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
Someone knows about this but will not break the code of silence...what a terrible thing to happen to a decent, hard working family. I hope these criminals meet with a deadly end...
June 30, 2009 at 7:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
Very sad. I hope that the criminals responsible will be caught very soon.Condolenses to the family.
June 30, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
My condolences to the family and I hope whoever did this comes forward soon.
June 30, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stanish (anonymous) says...
My most sincerest condolences to the family. May God continue to Bless and strenghten each and everyone of you during this most difficult time. As for those involved, I plead of you to turn yourselves in so that this family can start a healing process and have closure to such a senseless tragedy.
June 30, 2009 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheTruthFighter (anonymous) says...
What a shame! Good people have to die of nonsense. May GOD rain down his blessings on this family. No one should ever have to experience anything like this.
June 30, 2009 at 11:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pluffmudmaryhellion (anonymous) says...
I HEARD THAT LEONARD HERBERT OLIVER III WAS DRIVING THE CAR THAT KILLED THE VICE COUPLE.IT IS ALLEGED THAT HIS FATHER OWNS THE NIGHTCLUB DOWNTOWN ON THE KING STREET EXTENSION AT ROMNEY STREET. THIS ANIMAL WAS CHARGED WITH KILLING HIS GIRLFRIEND, MELANIE LAIN, A HAIR STYLIST, ON MARCH 15TH, 2003 IN A JAMES ISLAND CHURCH PARKING LOT, HER 28 YEAR OLD BODY WAS FOUND ALONG A GRAVEL ROAD IN COLLETON COUNTY. THIS ANIMAL CONFESSED TO BEATING HER TO DEATH SO WHY WAS HE FREE? HE KILLED 2 INNOCENT CITIZENS BECAUSE??? DAMN OUR COURT SYSTEMS, WE HAVE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF OUR GOVERNMENT! REVIVE THE DEATH SENTENCE BY HANGING!
June 30, 2009 at 11:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BPFROM843 (anonymous) says...
pluffmudmaryhellion
YOU ARE WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY OFF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO YOU TALKIN BOUT BUT YOU GOT THE WRONG SUSPECT
July 1, 2009 at 3:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
areyouforreal (anonymous) says...
BPFROM843 -- if you know who did it then call crimestoppers and turn your cousin or yourself in...you will get a cash reward!! Still if the fella that pluffmud is talking about really is out after only a couple of years then it is a shame and a sham that he is already out. This is why crime is so bad in the area, the thugs know if they shoot someone they will be out in less than 5 yrs...this makes sense??????
July 1, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ARLEANCROSBY (anonymous) says...
Let's give this a thought, put yourself in our situation; and this happened to a family member of yours. Would you want the persons responsible to continue going on like this never happened, or would you plea for the community to turn these people in?Let's pretend that you were the one greiving the loss; what would you want to happen, for once it is time to break the code of silence, and do the right thing.A reward may be nice, but you can't put a price on a humans life. My cousin has taught many chidren in the Charleston area and she very well may have made the difference in someone in your family life.Think about it.Arlean Wright Crosby Charlotte,NC
July 1, 2009 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
martinstuart (anonymous) says...
these people sound like really solid citizens. the car that hit them was not even being persued. really sensless and tragic. a real loss for our community.
July 5, 2009 at 1:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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