No charges in highway death

No charges will be filed in the Friday night death of a Moncks Corner woman who was struck and killed by a Berkeley County Sheriff's Department patrol vehicle while she attempted to cross a highway on foot. The woman was one of two who died in unrelated accidents Friday night in Moncks Corner.

Velyncia Bradford, 46, of Moncks Corner, was walking across S.C. Highway 17-A around 10:25 p.m. when she was struck by a Sheriff's Department sport utility vehicle driven by Deputy Charles Scott, according to police. Scott is a reserve officer with the Sheriff's Office, and was on duty.

Bradford was taken to Trident Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, according to Berkeley County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Salisbury.

"Because a county deputy was involved, we handled the collision," S.C. Highway Patrol Cpl. Paul Brouthers said.

"It appears the lady was illegally in the roadway, and therefore there won't be any charges," he said. "Pedestrians are not allowed in the roadway except at designated crossings."

"There's nothing at this point that indicates any excessive speed," Brouthers said. "It really doesn't matter if (the driver) was a deputy or a civilian. If she was illegally in the roadway, he's not at fault."

The second fatality Friday occurred on Highway 52, claiming the life of a Ravenel woman.

Connie Gwynette, 53, was a passenger in a car crossing Highway 52 at Moss Grove Drive just after 8 p.m. when it was struck broadside by an SUV.

Gwynette, who was wearing a seat belt, was trapped in the car. After she was extricated, she was taken to Trident Medical Center, where she died.

The accident is under investigation, and no further information was available from police on Saturday.

Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561.