SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. – A lawsuit was initiated this Tuesday against a North Myrtle Beach police sergeant following a DUI-related vehicular incident that alarmed locals earlier this month. Sgt. Chris King and Brittany Rumola, who were alleged to be in the vehicle at the time, have become the focus of a legal battle stemming from the collision that occurred on September 7, 2023.
The incident took place on Surfpine Drive and escalated when an attempted left-hand turn onto Highway 17 went catastrophically wrong. According to the lawsuit, King is accused of making the decision to use a U-turn lane for the maneuver while intoxicated, leading to a collision with another vehicle which caused his Jeep to overturn.
The legal documents highlight that King’s actions not only led to a direct collision with Magellan Senior’s car but also included fleeing the crash site post-incident. The allegations pointedly detail a series of negligent actions, ranging from failure to yield right of way, making an illegal turn, and ultimately fleeing from the scene of the wreck.
Further complicating the case are cross-accusations regarding who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident. A witness claim suggesting Brittany Rumola was actually driving, if proven true, could shift the focus of the negligence claim onto her. The lawsuit established a contingent clause where, pending investigation results, Rumola could face charges if found to be the driver.
Interestingly, dashcam and surveillance footage obtained by local authorities seems to position King at the scene before he left. Police later approached King near his residence, only a few blocks from the crash site. During this encounter, King maintained that he was a passenger and not the driver.
Currently, King faces charges including driving under the influence and hit-and-run involving property damage. His legal entanglements will further unfold at a mandatory court appearance scheduled for April 7.
Amid these pressing charges, King remains on administrative duty with the North Myrtle Beach Police Department. The department is keeping a close eye on the unfolding investigation’s outcomes, as King has held significant positions within local law enforcement. He has been a notable figure serving as a supervisor in the traffic division of North Myrtle Beach and has a past tenure with the Surfside Beach Police Department as well.
As this story continues to develop, there’s a pending response from King’s attorney regarding the allegations and charges.
This article was automatically generated by OpenAI. The details, including the identities and events depicted, may not be accurate. Please contact [email protected] to request correction, retraction, or removal of this content.