(Walhalla, SC.) On September 6, 2014, the South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to a multi-vehicle collision at the intersection of US 76 and Sheep Farm Road in Oconee County. This collision resulted in the death of Michele Wright, age 28, and Joshua Silvers, age 29, of Iva, South Carolina.
Based upon information obtained at the scene of the collision and witness accounts, the South Carolina Highway Patrol concluded that Drew Woodall Greene, age 52, of Westminster, was traveling at a high rate of speed when he failed to obey the traffic signal at the intersection. Witnesses reported seeing Mr. Greene in an unconscious state as he was traveling down US 76 and approached the intersection. His Chevrolet truck came to a complete stop in the right lane in front of Fatz restaurant. Subsequently, the truck began to slowly regain speed and move completely onto the curb in front of O’Reilly’s Auto Parts. As the truck left the curb and re-entered the roadway, it began to rapidly accelerate as it entered the intersection. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team, Mr. Greene was traveling at 72MPH when his truck collided with the victims’ car. Five cars were involved in the accident. When law enforcement arrived on the scene they observed a significant number of empty beer cans in the rear of Mr. Greene’s vehicle and on the roadway. Mr. Greene smelled of alcohol, as unopened and damaged beer cans were present and spilling in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Mr. Greene was incoherent and disoriented at the scene. He was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital.
At Greenville Memorial Hospital, Mr. Greene voluntarily submitted to blood testing to determine his blood alcohol concentration. Two blood samples were collected in accord with protocol set forth by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, including strict chain of custody requirements, and transferred to SLED for testing.
In interviews with law enforcement that night, Mr. Greene had no memory of the collision or the time period prior to the collision. He also presented that night with slurred speech and confusion. In subsequent interviews, Mr. Greene continued to have no recollection of this event.
As a result of that evening’s investigation, the South Carolina Highway Patrol charged Mr. Greene with 2 counts of Felony Driving under the Influence resulting in death.
On November 7, 2014, the Toxicology Division of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division issued their report in this matter. The report indicated that blood samples provided by Mr. Greene were negative for ethanol. Two separate samples were tested and supported the scientific conclusion that Mr. Greene’s blood alcohol level at the time of this incident was 0.0. Furthermore, additional testing revealed no drugs in Mr. Greene’s system.
Hospital records revealed that Mr. Greene suffers from lactic acidosis, a condition marked by a dangerous increase of lactic acid levels in the bloodstream. The levels of lactic acid present in Mr. Greene’s body were such that disorientation, confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures would likely result. Witness accounts are consistent with the symptoms of someone who is suffering from lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis can be easily confused with someone who appears to be in an intoxicated state. However, alcohol was not a factor in this incident.
Based upon the evidence in this case, criminal prosecution in this matter is not supported by law and charges against Mr. Greene have been dismissed.
