Gabriel Williams killed in Tega Cay DUI crash, according to police

clock Created with Sketch Beta. October 21, 2026
Gabriel Williams killed in Tega Cay DUI crash, according to police

TEGA CAY, SC (October 17, 2026) Gabriel Tucker Williams, 26, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, died after a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle collided at West Highway 160 and Tillberg Way in Tega Cay early Saturday, October 17. His passenger, Aeryn Kira Sutherland, 31, of Charlotte, North Carolina, also died following the collision, according to authorities.

The crash occurred shortly after midnight when Williams was traveling northbound on Highway 160. A southbound vehicle reportedly attempted to turn left onto Tillberg Way and collided with the motorcycle.

Williams sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Sutherland suffered critical injuries and was transported to Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, where she later died.

Vernell Laurthel Hayes, 45, of Fort Mill, was arrested in connection with the crash and faces two counts of felony driving under the influence resulting in death. According to arrest warrants cited in local reports, Hayes acknowledged consuming alcohol before the collision. A reported breath test registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.13, exceeding South Carolina’s legal limit of 0.08.

Hayes remains in custody at the York County Detention Center without bond, according to local reporting. The York County Coroner’s Office has indicated that pathology and toxicology results for the victims were pending.

The Tega Cay Police Department and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.

Incident Location


FATAL PEDESTRIAN CRASH INVESTIGATION

Investigators are working to establish how the motorcycle and passenger vehicle collided at the intersection of West Highway 160 and Tillberg Way. The reported left turn, the vehicles’ movements, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged impairment are among the relevant issues in the case.

A comprehensive investigation may include reviewing physical evidence, vehicle damage, witness statements, available video footage and toxicology findings. These details can help authorities reconstruct the collision and determine whether traffic violations or other factors contributed to the deaths.

National legal analyst Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal, has experience in catastrophic-injury advocacy. In cases such as this, a thorough review of the available evidence is important to understanding liability and the potential consequences for affected families. Establishing the sequence of events and preserving relevant documentation can be important to any subsequent civil proceedings.

Stefano Formica, a trial attorney whose practice includes motor vehicle accidents and wrongful-death litigation, also has experience handling complex injury cases. From a general legal perspective, determining responsibility requires examining the available evidence rather than relying solely on the fact that an arrest has occurred. Criminal charges and civil liability are separate matters, and the outcome of each depends on the applicable law and evidence.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the final findings may provide additional information about the events leading to the collision.


WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM

The deaths of Williams and Sutherland may raise questions about potential wrongful-death claims, depending on the evidence and the applicable South Carolina law. Eligible surviving family members may be able to seek compensation if negligence or another legally actionable form of misconduct contributed to the fatal crash.

Potential damages in a wrongful-death case can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and the loss of companionship or other legally recognized harms. The availability and calculation of damages depend on the circumstances of the case and the law governing the claim.

In cases such as this, legal analysts including Candice Bond emphasize the importance of examining the evidence, identifying potentially responsible parties and evaluating available insurance coverage. Stefano Formica’s experience in motor vehicle and wrongful-death litigation similarly reflects the importance of detailed case preparation when liability and damages are disputed.


(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)


If your loved one has been killed by a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analyst Candice Bond today

(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).

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