Lance Corporal C.L. Bridges
Lance Corporal C.L. Bridges, a Highway Patrol trooper patrolling the Horry County area, is charged with three counts of Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Minor Personal Injury.
The Horry County Sheriff's Office arrested Bridges around 1 p.m. Monday when he turned himself in.
Bridges was off duty and in his personal vehicle around 2:45 a.m. Sunday, when he hit three people on the side of the road on Jason Boulevard near the Gold Club on Highway 501, according to sheriff's office spokesman Jeff Benton.
He got out and checked to make sure the people were OK, called 9-1-1, and then left the scene, said Benton.
Bridges was located at his home Sunday, and the sheriff's office obtained warrants for his arrest Monday morning after interviewing witnesses and the victims, Benton said.
Bridges was suspended without pay on Sunday and then resigned, according to SCDPS spokesperson Sherri Lacobelli. She says he had served with the department since 2007.
"Our troopers are expected to earn the public's trust and to serve with professionalism and integrity. That is why the SC Highway Patrol and Department of Public Safety dealt expeditiously with this matter involving L. Cpl. Bridges. We will not let this negatively impact the fine work of more than 700 troopers who professionally serve and protect our state's citizens and visitors," said Highway Patrol Commander Col. Mike Oliver.
Bridges was released on bond Monday afternoon.
