Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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More charges possible in fatal S. C. hay ride crash (Deg Kinnard THE ASSOCIATED PRESS More charges could be filed in the hay ride crash that killed a toddler and three adults, police said Tuesday. Franklin Jones Jr., the driver of the tractor pulling a flatbed trailer that was hit from behind by an 18-wheeler, could be charged for operating a trailer without appropriate lighting, state Highway Patrol Trooper Sonny Collins said. The trailer involved in Sundays crash near a crossroads between Marion and Dillon off U.S. Highway 501 didn’t have rear lights, police said. “If you’re pulling a vehicle, you must have at least one illuminated light or some type or reflector visible for 500 feet,” Collins said. “This is just the beginning of this investigation. ... Certainly charges could be coming.” The driver of the 18-wheeler that slammed into the trailer was charged Monday with felony driving under the influence. If convicted, 51 year-old Jake Davis Jr. of Florence, could receive up to 25 years in prison for each of the four people who died, Collins said. He also could face up to 15 years for each “great bodily injury” suffered. “Once the investigation is over, we will determine how many counts will be issued here,” said Collins, who wouldn’t release Davis’ blood alcohol level. “If they release it all, it may not be released until trial.” Authorities identified those killed as Jerry Wayne Jones, 31; Shiwanna Lowery, 15; Freddie Lynn Jones, 24; and 2-year-old Javon Jones. Collins said a reconstruction team was at the crash site Tuesday. “We’re probably talking 3 weeks to 4 weeks before a report is given,” Collins said. “This is a complex crash. This is nothing they can just go out and put together in a couple of hours.” The John Deere tractor involved typically has a top speed of about 25 mph. The speed limit on Dudley Road where the crash occurred is 55 mph. There are “no street lights or anything like that” in that area, Collins said. One private hay ride operator said she takes many safety precautions when she offers hay rides to the public. Diann Harmon, who has been offering hay rides for 20 years at Harmon Farms in Lexington, said she has liability insurance in case of an accident, although there have been none on her 75-acre property. “We don’t take our hay rides out on the roads,” Harmon said. “And we don’t allow vehides on the trails where the hay rides are.” Harmon said her hay ride trailers have lights and safety chains across the back. “We take a lot of precautions on our hay rides,” Harmon said. “You’ve got to take precautions when you mess with the public. You just never know what people are going to do.” Another deadly automobile crash occurred near the site of Sunday’s crash less than two weeks ago. On Oct. 23, according to Collins, five people were killed in nearby Horry County when the driver of a Chevrolet Blazer ran a stop sign and pulled in front of another vehicle. Collins said no charges have been filed in that case because authorities are not certain who was driving the Blazer. Authorities suspect someone in that vehicle was using alcohol. John D. Russell / The Associated Press Franklin Jones Jr. speaks Monday in Marion, S.C. On Sunday night, Jones was driving a tractor that was pulling a trailer on a hay ride. Four people were killed when a tractor-trailer struck the trailer. The truck driver, 51-year-old Jake Davis Jr. of Florence, was charged Monday with felony driving under the influence. 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