Officials: Real People are Killed By Drunk Drivers in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — More than 4,000 people have been killed in DUI crashes in South Carolina throughtout the past decade, according to the Department of Public Safety. However, law enforcement agencies across the state are working to stop that number from climbing. The annual, “Sober or Slammer” campaign kicked off Thursday ahead of the upcoming Labor Day weekend. “One person dies each day at the hands of a drunk driver,” says Phil Riley, South Carolina Department of Public Safety. It’s Patricia Volker knows the reality of drunk driving, too well. “My heart, it left holes everywhere,” says Volker. Volker’s grandson, son-in-law and two step-grandsons were vacationing in Florida with their wives. “The men had decided to go to a guy’s movie,” says Volker. But the men would not make it home. “He was literally going 83 miles an hour when he hit them in the intersection and drove them into a sign post,” say Volker. All four men died instantly. While this case was in Florida, the families affeected are from South Carolina. In 2009, tougher DUI laws were passed in the state and while more arrests are being made, the numbers are still alarming. According to officials, South Carolina is still #1 for DUI related fatalities. DUI is also the #1 cause of fatal collisions in the state and at least half of all fatal crashes involves a drunk driver. Leaving families like Volker’s to mourn. “The ripples are endless when 1 life is lost, multiply that 4 times and we don’t even know the extent,” says Volker. Sadly, officials say more lives will likely be lost even today. “Roughly 20 of our family members, friends, co-workers, will die between and Labor Day due to a drunk driver,” says Riley.