DDN – The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has published the names of the four people killed in a New Year’s Eve crash. Officials say the incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday on Cooley Bridge Road near Pearson Road.
According to Shelton England of the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, the incident involved two automobiles, and all four deceased were in the same vehicle.
On Wednesday morning, England identified two of the victims: Audrey Maris Ross, 29, of Donalds, and Amanda Lynn Leroux, also known as Zelena Ophelia Moon, 30, of North Carolina.
On Friday evening, he identified the last two fatalities as Jade Evelyn Bruton, 27, of Greenville, and Joshua Allen Ward, 37, of North Carolina.
According to the coroner, Bruton and Leroux died from multiple blunt-force injuries. Ross died from blunt force trauma to the chest.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, a 2017 Subaru SUV was backing out of a private driveway onto Cooley Bridge Road when it was struck by a 2012 BMW sedan driving south. The BMW then veered off the road and into a tree. The crash killed all four of the Subaru’s occupants.
According to troopers, speed and drinking were contributing factors to the crash.
Nicholas Shane Meeks, the driver of the BMW, was charged with four counts of felony DUI resulting in death, according to officials. He received no bond for those counts and a $653 bond for driving with a suspended license.
According to officials, Meeks was convicted of DUI in March 2024.
Neighbors claim they witnessed a big explosion at 9:14 p.m. Many people raced to the scene and attempted to help, but they believe it was too late.
On Wednesday, a family friend of the victim spoke with a court.
“Audrey’s mom loves the Lord God with all her heart, and she will forgive him and pray for him,” Angie Ellis said of Nicholas Shane Meeks. “But his actions should have consequences.”
Meeks will appear before a circuit judge court at a later date.
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