The driver who hit a pedestrian in the Walmart parking lot last month will not face criminal charges for his death, say officials.
According to Barnwell Police Chief Todd Gantt, the solicitor's office does not plan to seek criminal charges against Brittney Hoover of Allendale. On Dec. 22 the 24-year-old driver struck Kenneth Sandifer, a 70-year-old Bamberg resident, with her 2003 GMC Yukon as he entered a "clearly marked pedestrian zone" on his way back to his vehicle, said Gantt.
The impact caused Sandifer to fall and hit his head on the pavement. He later died Dec. 28 from his injuries at Georgia Health Sciences University Medical Center, according to Barnwell County Coroner Lloyd Ward.
A search of Hoover's phone records yielded no proof she was talking on the phone or texting at the time of the accident, said Gantt. "We have to prove intent," said Gantt of why no criminal charges of homicide or reckless homicide were brought against Hoover.
Hoover is still charged in traffic court with failure to use caution as she drove through the parking lot.