Coroner IDs sisters killed in Friday crash near the airport involving underage driver

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has identified the two women in a crash early Friday morning that police say started with an overnight pursuit of an underage, unlicensed driver and ended in a crash near the Charleston International Airport.

Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal identified the two victims as Mary Alice Dent, 32, and Shamricka Latrice Dent, 36; both died at the scene from injuries they suffered, and both were from the Goose Creek area.

An officer saw the vehicle, which the South Carolina Highway Patrol described as a 2010 Buick sedan, run a red light at Dorchester Road and Olivia Drive, Deputy Chief Ken Hagge said. The officer activated blue lights but the driver did not stop, he said.

The pursuit lasted only about a minute before the driver of the Buick crashed into a 2005 Lexus four-door sedan at Dorchester Road and Michaux Parkway.

The two-vehicle crash occurred at 1:29 a.m., killing the driver and passenger of the Lexus, LCpl. Tyler Tidwell said.

The driver of the Buick, which was traveling west when it struck the Lexus, was injured and taken to an area hospital, Tidewell said. There was no immediate word on the driver’s condition.

“The City of North Charleston and the North Charleston Police Department wish to extend their condolences to the families affected by this underage and unlicensed driver,” Hagge said.

Police have not specified the age of the driver.

A public viewing of the two victims is set for Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, at 1561 Mosstree Rd. in North Charleston.

A celebration of life service will be held for the sisters on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Royal Baptist Family Life and Banquet Center, at 4750 Abraham Ave. in North Charleston.

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