Driver charged with felony DUI after crash near Bud Graham Road
March 10, 2026 | Aynor, SC
A 45-year-old woman from Galivants Ferry lost her life following a motorcycle accident in Aynor. The incident occurred when the eastbound motorcycle veered off Seventh Avenue and crashed around 9:30 p.m.
Melissa Lubrico, the passenger, suffered severe injuries and passed away two days later due to trauma, according to Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard.
Melissa Lubrico, 45, died after the motorcycle carrying the passenger left the roadway and crashed along Seventh Avenue near Bud Graham Road near Aynor.
The motorcycle's 44-year-old driver from Aynor was arrested the following day and charged with felony DUI resulting in death and hit-and-run involving death. He was booked into J. Reuben Long Detention Center, and was later released on $20,000 bond to home detention as the South Carolina Highway Patrol investigates.
What Happened in the Crash?
- Date and Time: March 10, around 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Seventh Avenue near Bud Graham Road, Aynor, SC
- Vehicles Involved: Single eastbound motorcycle
- Injuries: Passenger Melissa Lubrico, 45, from Galivants Ferry, died from traumatic injuries on March 12
- Driver Status: 44-year-old Aynor man arrested for felony DUI resulting in death and hit-and-run, released on bond
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Impaired driving remains a leading factor in preventable roadway tragedies. Motorcycles, with their vulnerability, amplify the dangers when operators are under the influence.
Statistic |
Value |
Source |
|---|
Fatal Crashes Involving DUI |
10% of all fatal automobile accidents |
National Safety Council |
Ranking of DUI-Related Fatalities |
Second-leading cause of automobile deaths in the U.S. |
National Safety Council |
Annual DUI Arrests |
Over 1 million nationwide |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
Legal Insights
National legal analysts emphasize the severe consequences of impaired driving in motor vehicle incidents.
"Drunken and drugged drivers face criminal charges after accidents that cause harm or death to others," noted Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. "In cases such as this, families may pursue civil compensation against the at-fault party."
Key takeaways from legal perspectives on DUI crashes:
- Impaired operation endangers all road users and leads to felony charges when fatalities occur.
- Victims' families can seek remedies for losses through civil actions.
- Investigations by authorities like the South Carolina Highway Patrol help establish accountability.
Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal, highlighted the emotional toll:
"The grief following a loved one's death in a crash can be overwhelming. Protecting rights through legal support is essential, with updates on investigations ensuring interests are safeguarded."
In scenarios involving wrongful death, families may claim damages for companionship loss, pain, suffering, and distress after catastrophic accidents.
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Candice Bond, national legal analyst for Newsline, is skilled in handling motorcycle accident cases. Contact her for a free consultation if you or a loved one needs legal guidance.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline 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 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).