2 airlifted after wreck

4 trapped in crash on Stoney Point Road

August 11, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer


It took just over an hour to get everyone out.
Even then the engine of the mangled white vehicle still smoked.
Four passengers — two white males, one white female and one black male — had been injured and trapped inside the vehicle for some time.
Heading north, the car had run off the right side of Stoney Point Road, about 300 yards beyond the entrance to Stoney Point at Lake Greenwood.
In overcorrecting, the driver lost control.
Black skid marks across the road traced a direct line to the vehicle, which lay in a smoking ruin on the opposite side of the road. Two rescue helicopters were called in to transport two of the victims to Spartanburg and Columbia.
“Two of them were flown out of here and two of them were taken by ambulance to Self Regional Medical Center,” said Coronaca Volunteer Fire Department Chief Woody Owensby.
“We were just trying to get traffic out of the way and the ambulance in there to the car.”
The hot and hazy scene, with emergency equipment — gloves, bandages and containers — strewn about, quickly became congested with emergency vehicles, passersby and vehicles carrying concerned family members.
Three of the victims were unconscious when emergency personnel arrived, but all four victims left the scene responding to their rescuers.
Scotty Owensby was one of the first to arrive on the scene.
The look on his face displayed the seriousness of the situation.
“They were getting it on down through here,” he said. “It happens all the time. This is the third one I’ve come up on through here.”
Owensby said he made the 911 call at 7:51 p.m.
In addition to Coronaca, other units responding included Greenwood County EMS, members of Lower Lake Greenwood Fire Department and troopers with the S.C. State Highway Patrol.
Back at the car, they all worked furiously.
As dusk approached, a portable light was erected so the work could continue unmolested. The top of the car was peeled back like a can.
And by 8:53 p.m., everyone was out of the car.
All that remained were the handshakes and congratulations.
“Everybody worked together really well,” Owensby said. “It ran as smoothly as something under these circumstances can run.”
The crash is still under investigation.

Hotel employee: ‘I saw him at the bottom’

Man recounts efforts to save drowning victim

August 11, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Ronak Desai did everything he could.
About 7 p.m. Thursday, a young boy hurriedly entered the lobby of the Extended Stay Motel on Montague Avenue and tried to use the phone.
Distraught, he said his friend was at the bottom of the motel’s pool.
Instantly, Desai — a student at Piedmont Tech by day and full-time motel employee at night — raced outside.
The boy was right — his friend was right there at the bottom.
Eight feet under the water, 14-year-old Rhyeem Wideman lay motionless.
Desai jumped in fully clothed, losing his glasses in the process.
But within moments the 24-year-old Desai — standing 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds — had easily lifted Wideman’s body from the water.
Then he called for help, dialing 911.
“I didn’t even know they were there,” said Desai, back behind the counter for his evening shift Friday afternoon. “I can swim, but I’m no lifeguard. I just kind of plopped down in there.
“I saw him at the bottom. I wrapped my arms around him and got him out. He was unresponsive.
I’ve never had anything to happen like that before.”

Swimming at your own risk

In most cases, motels are not required to have a lifeguard on duty. Warning signs are posted, and some life-saving equipment is provided.
But guests mostly swim at their own risk.
Neither of the boys involved in Thursday’s incident could swim.
The boys also were not guests at the hotel.
Todd Whittington is owner of the Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn in Greenwood. He says customers want to stay at places with swimming pools.
“Unfortunately, a pool can be a dangerous thing, but it’s something that people want when they stay at a hotel,” he said Friday. “We take it real seriously and do things right as far as following the regulations.”
Whittington said it’s difficult to keep non-guests out of an outdoor pool.
“With an indoor pool, it’s easier to keep kids out, but with an outdoor pool it can happen sometimes,” he said. “People get upset sometimes when we politely ask them if they’re actually staying at the hotel, but we do that because of things like this. It’s just sad.”

‘It’s tragic’

Wideman was pronounced dead Thursday at Self Regional Medical Center.
Desai learned of his death Friday morning.
“I didn’t even know until I saw the news (Friday) morning,” he said. “It’s tragic, you know? He was a young kid. I know (EMS) did everything they could to save him. They worked so hard on him. I never thought I would ever be in a position to have to do anything like that.”
Desai is asked if he might consider taking a CPR class.
“I’ll probably be working here for the next couple of years or so,” Desai said. “I’ve had to call the police before, but never anything like this. It’s just such a sad thing, and it’s just me here. Yeah, I’m thinking about doing it.”

Council member facing allegations

Holland suspended from custodial job pending investigation

August 11, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

CALHOUN FALLS — A young woman entered the Calhoun Falls Police Department on Wednesday, claiming she had been sexually harassed.
Her accusation could send shock waves through the town.
The man she has accused in the incident is Calhoun Falls Town Councilman and Calhoun Falls High School custodian and bus driver Rickey Holland Sr.
The wo­­man said Holland sexually harassed her this past softball season, when Holland served as the head softball coach.
Calhoun Falls Police Chief Mike Alewine said once he took the woman’s initial statement, he turned the matter over to the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED), as he could not investigate a town councilman.
“A young lady came in on Wednesday and filed a report,” Alewine said. “She said he sexually harassed her while she played softball for him this past softball season. As it’s a conflict, I can’t investigate him.”
A SLED spokeswoman confirmed an investigation has been opened.
Holland accepted the custodian position with Calhoun Falls High in July. Abbeville County School Superintendent Ivan Randolph said Holland has been suspended with pay, pending an investigation into the allegations.
Holland, contacted Friday afternoon, said he is innocent.
He also says the allegations seem concocted or contrived in a possible attempt to tarnish him prior to his re-election campaign in November.
“I was hit broadside with it yesterday myself,” Holland said. “I know there is no truth to it, I know that much. All I know is there was a complaint, that’s all I know. I don’t know who she is, what color she is or nothing.
“This is all a political move. With the election coming up in three months? It’s a setup, because I know that I never said anything. I haven’t lost any sleep over it, I know that. I just hate that my name is in the newspaper like that and that my kids are in the school system and read the newspaper. But when you accept a political role, these things come along with the territory. You have to be ready to expect anything.”
When asked if he would retain legal representation, Holland said no.
“I’m not going to do anything because I haven’t done anything,” he said. “I was never alone with any of those girls at any time.”
With an open SLED investigation and a town council meeting slated for this Thursday, Holland’s position on the council was in question.
Calhoun Falls Mayor Johnnie Waller said he received a letter from Holland stating that he would take a temporary leave of absence from his post until the matter was resolved.
In the letter, Holland said that “in order to continue the efficient operation of government in the town of Calhoun Falls, please be advised that I am hereby taking a temporary leave of absence from my office.”
The alleged victim has not been identified.

No repeat performance

Greenwood blanks Abbeville

August 11, 2007

By MATT ANDERSON
Index-Journal staff writer



Last season, Abbeville High School defeated eventual AAAA state champion Greenwood in its jamboree.
It was quite a different story this season for the same two teams in Friday night’s jamboree at Hite Stadium.
Greenwood dominated the battle up front on both sides of the ball, defeating Abbeville 23-0 in the jamboree’s final 20 minute period.
Before a 47-yard Panthers completion against the Eagles second-team defense in the scrimmage’s last minute, Greenwood had not allowed a first down, and held Abbeville to seven yards of total offense.
“We were obviously dominated up front,” Abbeville coach Jamie Nickles said.
“And when that happens, you’ve just got to try to overcome it. But there’s just one way to overcome it, and that’s get better starting Monday.”
The Greenwood offensive line, retooled after losing most of last year’s starters to graduation, was almost as good as the Greenwood defensive line. After punting on their first possession, the Eagles finished the game with three touchdown drives of 55 yards, 44 yards and 25 yards, and totaled 102 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Greenwood quarterback Jay Spearman was instrumental in the first two, totaling 67 all-purpose yards and scoring a touchdown on the two scoring series.
“I thought (the offensive line) did well,” Greenwood coach Shell Dula said. “I thought they came off the ball and blocked well. We did a lot of good things.”
As strong as the Greenwood lines were, special teams were equally as strong for Ware Shoals in its 21-0 jamboree-opening victory over Crescent.
The scrimmage started with a 48-yard kickoff return by LaDarius Hawthorne, which set up a short Hornets’ touchdown drive. The ensuing Patorious Leverette kickoff was returned to the Crescent 16, and after the Ware Shoals defense forced a three-and-out, Lance Richardson returned a punt 47 yards for a touchdown.
“We worked on special teams a lot over the course of the week,” Ware Shoals coach Jeff Murdock said. “It’s been so hot, and that was one thing we felt like we could work on pretty well in shorts. And all our work on special teams paid off.”
While the Ware Shoals was able to hit a couple of big plays on special teams, three big plays accounted for all three Strom Thurmond touchdowns in its 21-3 jamboree victory over Ninety Six.
The Rebels’ Javon Brown returned the middle contest’s opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, and Oquendo Curry scored on a 62-yard touchdown run. In the last minute, Strom Thurmond returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown.
Ninety Six had one prolonged drive early in the 20 minute period. Parker Hite and Forrest Dove alternated at quarterback in the series, which was capped by a Blake Roller 37-yard field goal.

Obituaries

Maxey Briley

PIEDMONT — Maxey Carlton Briley, 62, of 415 Camden Drive, husband of Dolorez Briley, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007, at his home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood.

Billy Parker

ABBEVILLE — William Edwin “Billy” Parker, Jr., 74, resident of 33 Pine Drive, husband of Alice Pruitt Parker, died Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007 at Abbeville Area Medical Center.
Born in McCormick, SC, he was a son of the late William Edwin, Sr. and Woodrow Wilson Parker.
Billy was a retired automotive mechanic with Prince Motor Co. After retirement Billy began working for the SC Highway Department, from which he last retired. He was also a member of Lebanon Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife Alice Pruitt Parker of the home; a son, Lowrie Parker and his wife, Lisa of Abbeville, SC; 2 granddaughters, Jessica Lee Parker and Chelsea Nicole Parker.
He was preceded in death by a son William Edwin Parker, III and his beloved dog Corky.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007 at 11 a.m. in the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel, with the Revs. Arnold Johnson and Robbie Burton officiating. The burial will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. The family is at the residence, 33 Pine Drive Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made to Lebanon Presbyterian Church 698 Mt. Carmel Road, Abbeville, SC 29620 or to Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 Church St., Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be made to the Parker family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Opinion

Gang killings give state reason to be concerned

August 11, 2007

There are gangs in Greenwood. That much has been known for some time. So far this area apparently has been spared major crime problems related to gang activity, though. That, however, doesn’t mean that gangs haven’t been responsible for lesser crimes, not to mention some that might have escaped the notice of law enforcement agencies and/or the public.
Gang numbers are likely to have increased in recent times, according to some authorities, although so far, it seems, the majority of gang-associated violence has been confined largely to the state’s most populous areas.
Sometimes there are strong reminders of what a threat gangs are to every South Carolinian.

IN SO MANY CRIMES OF violence it’s the innocent “bystander” that is killed or injured. At other times, though, gangs aim their violence at specific people. A recent case in Columbia illustrates the seriousness of having gangs around.
Two women were shot to death in Richland County on Sunday and Monday last week, and Sheriff Leon Lott says they were gang-related. In fact, he said both victims were affiliated with gangs. There also have been major crimes reported in Charleston and other cities that have been attributed to gang members.
Adding urgency to what appears to be a growing problem in the Palmetto State, Lott emphasized that “Our community right now is at war with gangs.” That’s not good news for the rest of the state. Others must wonder how long it will be before they start seeing more gang-related violence in their communities. The way that kind of cancer grows, it may be sooner than later.