Lawsuits: SC deputy’s ‘reckless’ actions caused I-95 crash that injured multiple people
Four lawsuits — all stemming from the same June 2019 deputy-involved crash — have been filed against the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office in the last two weeks.
The lawsuits - three of which were filed on Sept. 10 and the fourth on Monday - are almost identical with the exception of the plaintiffs, all of whom are represented by the same attorney.
Northern Ohio residents Dwanye M. Marshall, Dwayne M. Marshall Jr., Sharmain L. Marshall, and Sharmario Hayward, representing her elementary-aged son identified as E.M.H., were either driving or riding inside a vehicle that was struck by a Sheriff’s Office vehicle on I-95 on June 18, 2019, the suits say.
The vehicle the plaintiffs were in was traveling north on I-95 when deputy Lt. Doug Byrd “attempted to cross both northbound lanes and pulled out in front of the vehicle ... causing the two vehicles to collide,” according to the suits.
The suits say the plaintiffs suffered “serious, severe, and permanent injuries” because of the crash and “will continue to suffer great physical pain and mental anguish.”
The crash occurred because Byrd was “negligent” and “reckless” by “failing” to do several things, including: keep proper lookout, keep his vehicle under control, apply his brakes or ensure his vehicle had adequate brakes, yield to right-of-way, and “exercise that degree of care that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised under the same or similar circumstances.”
It also says the Sheriff’s Office failed to “properly train and supervise” Byrd.
The plaintiffs ask for an unspecified amount of money that will include actual damages, legal costs, and “for such other and further relief.”
Sheriff Chris Malphrus declined to comment Wednesday, citing pending litigation.
The I-95 crash
On the afternoon of the crash, Byrd was one of the Sheriff’s Office deputies assisting the Hardeeville Police Department’s search for a suspect - later arrested on charges of kidnapping, carjacking, and armed robbery - along I-95, according to previous reporting.
During the pursuit, Byrd made a U-turn on the interstate at about mile marker 10. His Chevy 2500 pickup truck collided with a Ford F250 pulling a U-Haul trailer with a car attached, S.C. Highway Patrol said at the time.
Byrd suffered back injuries, including several cracked vertebrae, and at least one of the four passengers in the other truck was transported to the hospital.
Deputy’s resignation
Just more than a month after the crash, while Byrd was still recovering from his injuries, he posted a photo on Instagram that had the N-word in the caption.
Byrd, a white man, faced disciplinary action but later resigned at Sheriff Malphrus’ request.
Byrd’s resignation was final Aug. 2, 2019, just a few weeks shy of his one-year anniversary with the department, according to his personnel file with the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy. The routine separation form does not mention misconduct.
Byrd has not obtained another law enforcement job within South Carolina since, the file says.
Between 2006 and 2019, he worked for the Ridgeland Police Department, Hampton County Sheriff’s Office, and Darlington County Sheriff Office before joining Jasper County’s department.
