(Walhalla, SC). Mr. Robert Pelfrey plead guilty today to Felony Driving Under the Influence with Death and Grand Larceny. He was sentenced by the Honorable Cordell Maddox to 15 years in prison on the Felony Driving Under the Influence with death and a consecutive 5 years in prison, suspended to 5 years’ probation on the Grand Larceny charge with court ordered restitution and drug/alcohol counseling. He will not be eligible for parole. The State was represented by Assistant Solicitor Bethany Blundy and the Defendant was represented by attorney David Plowden.
On March 16, 2019, Robert Pelfrey stole a car from a driveway in the City of Walhalla and proceeded to drive recklessly within the city while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He subsequently struck another vehicle carrying innocent bystanders, severely injuring the vehicle’s driver and causing the death of the passenger.
Solicitor David Wagner said “Special thanks to the Walhalla Police Department for their quick response and thorough investigation that led to the defendant’s arrest and conviction in this case. This is truly a senseless tragedy. It is my only hope that the substantial prison sentence levied by Judge Maddox in this case will give the victim’s family some measure of peace and send a message to our community of the deadly consequences of driving under the influence.”