March 16, 2014

Page 1

Man pushes in-car breathalyzer Rep. Weeks to hold hearing on proposed legislation Thursday BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com (803) 774-1201

$1.50

SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2014

SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 5 SECTIONS, 34 PAGES | VOL. 119, NO. 129

Partisan filing for midterms begins this week

As the South Carolina legislature considers changes to the state’s DUI laws, one man has decided to make it his personnel crusade to champion the bill in honor of his daughter. David Longstreet’s 6-year-old daughter, Emma, died on Jan. 1, 2012 when the car carrying him and his family was struck by a

drunk driver in Lexington County. “I never thought I’d be sitting here with you talking about this, but it’s where I can channel my righteous anger,” Longstreet said. “Emma’s life is going to mean something, and it’s going to mean something for a lot of people.” The result of his efforts, working alongside MADD, has become known as Emma’s Law. The proposed legislation would require anyone arrested for DUI found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC)

level of 0.12 or more, if they want to get a provisional license, to install an ignition interlock device on their car. The equipment, which acts as a breathalyzer and prevents a car from starting if the driver has a BAC of more than .02, is currently required for multiple DUI offenders wanting to drive legally. Emma’s Law, however, would require the installation of the equipment after the first offense.

SEE DUI BILL, PAGE A6

Farewell from a frigate

BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com (803) 774-1201 While many politicians have been making their intentions known for some time for various offices around the state, today marks the day in which they can officially start being candidates. Sort of. While technically filing to run in the June primaries to win either the Republican or Democratic nomination for the November 2014 general election begins at noon today, none of the offices where candidates could potentially file are open on Sunday. Still, during the coming twoweek period, anyone wishing to run as either a Republican or Democrat must file

SEE ELECTIONS, PAGE A6

IN SPORTS

PHOTOS BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS TIM D. GODBEE / SPECIAL TO THE SUMTER ITEM

A team from the U.S.S. Simpson takes part in a training exercise recently off the coast of Morocco. After six months at sea, the Simpson will pull into port in Charleston next week, and Sumter native Cmdr. Chris Follin will invite family and friends aboard for an overnight “tiger cruise” to the Simpson’s home port in Florida.

Locals get chance to spread ashes during Navy cruise BY BRISTOW MARCHANT bmarchant@theitem.com (803) 774-1272

Big dance-bound After 2-year drought, 2 S.C. teams headed to NCAA tourney B1

DEATHS, A9 The Rev. Leo Tidwell James M. Blackwell Jr. Lillian Holliday

Jacob Carter Johnnie Mae Harriott

WEATHER, A10 RAIN HERE AND THERE Rain and a thunderstorm in the p.m.; some heavier rain at night.

“You don’t get the opportunity very often to go onto a Navy ship for a cruise.” That’s how one Sumter resident described the invitation to set sail aboard a U.S. naval frigate. Joey Duggan is just one of several invitees headed on a “tiger cruise” aboard the U.S.S. Simpson, courtesy of its Sumter-raised commanding officer. Cmdr. Chris Follin will be pulling the Simpson into port in Charleston on March 19 after six months at sea. As part of its welcome home, crew members will be joined aboard ship by family and friends on the final leg of their journey back to the frigate’s home port. “A tiger cruise is something most commands in our Navy would like to do but can only accomplish when operational commitments

Local media interview Cmdr. Christopher Follin, left, commanding officer of the guidedmissile frigate USS Simpson, after the ship’s March 6 arrival in Casablanca, Morocco, for a scheduled port visit. A Sumter native, Follin will take locals on a “tiger cruise” aboard SEE TIGER CRUISE, PAGE A9 the frigate next week.

HIGH 65, LOW 49

INSIDE

CONTACT US

Business D1 Classifieds D3 Comics E1 Lotteries A10 Opinion A8 Television E3

Info: 774-1200 Advertising: 774-1237 Classifieds: 774-1234 Delivery: 774-1258 News and Sports: 774-1226

VISIT US ONLINE AT the

.com

Darlington woman dies in U.S. 15 wreck BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com (803) 774-1295 A head-on collision on U.S. Highway 15 resulted in the death of a 31-year-old Darlington woman Friday evening. Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock pronounced Jamie Shavel McFadden dead at the scene. She was the passenger in a 2006 Dodge Charger traveling south on U.S.

Highway 15 when it collided with a 2011 Toyota Camry traveling north, according to reports from South Carolina Highway Patrol. Florence resident James Wilson, 38, was driving the Charger and was attempting to turn left onto White Mill Road when the collision occurred. Among those injured were four minors, one traveling in the Charger and three traveling in the Camry. Bullock said the injured oc-

cupants were transported to Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia, but the extent of their injuries was unknown. The condition of the two drivers is also unknown, said Bullock. Wilson was charged with failing to yield to the right of way. State troopers said that everyone involved was wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash, and the collision is still being investigated.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.