WALTERBORO, S.C. (AP) - A jury has awarded $700,000 to the family of a 21-year-old man killed in a head-on crash with a Colleton County deputy who was racing to check on a burglar alarm without turning on his emergency lights and siren.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reports that Jake Wright died from head and neck injuries after the January 2009 crash, while his son was injured.
The driving history of the deputy involved in the wreck included 18 moving violations, and Sheriff George Malone said he would review whether the officer should remain with his agency. Lawyers for the sheriff's office haven't decided if they will appeal the verdict.
The sheriff's office has an insurance reserve cap, so Wright's family will only receive $300,000.
