Driver Responsible for Fatal DUI Incident Sentenced to 10 Years
October 30, 2024
On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Malik Williams, 28, pled guilty to one count of felony DUI resulting in death. The Honorable Robert E. Hood sentenced Williams to 10 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
The incident occurred on Jan. 9, 2022, when Williams was driving on Leesburg Road at 111 mph. He attempted to pass Donald Wheeler, the victim, as Wheeler was making a left turn off Leesburg Road. The collision took place around 3:15 a.m. while Wheeler was delivering newspapers. Williams’s vehicle struck Wheeler’s car, which was pushed approximately 50 yards from the point of impact before ultimately catching fire.
At the time of the collision, Williams had a blood alcohol level of .18 and active THC in his system.
LCpl. Orlando Santos of the City of Columbia Police Department led the investigation. The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, represented by Assistant Solicitor Nicolas “Nick” Fowler, prosecuted the case.