South Carolina: Bluffton Police charged repeat offender Nikolai K. Wheeler with felony DUI for killing; caught after running like a coward leaving Cullen Mieczkowki dying

Nikolai K. Wheeler, 27, has been charged with felony DUI resulting in death, felony DUI great bodily injury Beaufort Co SC Sheriff 042017 (2)

BLUFFTON, S.C. – The Bluffton Police reports that the Department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a deadly accident along May River Road in front of the Rose Dhu subdivision.
Just after 5 p.m. April 14, 2017,  a 3-car accident occurred along May River Road. One person died at the scene. One person was taken to Savannah Memorial Hospital, and Nikolai K. Wheeler was captured after fleeing the scene of the deadly crash. for leaving the scene of an accident.

One person was taken to Savannah Memorial Hospital, and Nikolai K. Wheeler was captured after fleeing the scene of the deadly crash. for leaving the scene of an accident.
May River Road between Buckwalter Parkway and Gibbet Road was closed for several hours while police conducted an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Bluffton Police report that the three-vehicle accident happened just after 5 pm. on May River Road when a vehicle driven by Wheeler hit another vehicle, driven by 34-year-old Cullen Mieczkowski, from behind. Both vehicles were headed east.

Mieczkowski’s vehicle was then forced into oncoming traffic seriously injuring a driver traveling west on May River Road, police said.  Police say that the driver of the vehicle hit by Mieczkowski has been released from the hospital.

A retired State Trooper talked to Wheeler before he fled the scene, according to police, and was able to give a good description which aided in his capture.

Wheeler is an aspiring professional golfer.  Wheeler’s YouTube video includes one remark that his career might be delayed for a long time upon his conviction for killing Mieczkowski.

“Police smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Wheeler when he was taken into custody,” said Joy Nelson, police department spokesperson.

Nikolai K. Wheeler, 27, was charged with felony DUI, hit and run from the scene of a crash involving death, operating a vehicle without a license and police report his BAC was .256%, more than triple the legal limit of .08.  Wheeler told police had been drinking vodka and taking Xanax.

Police said Wheeler has an extensive history of alcohol arrests including being charged with DUI just five days before killing Mieczkowski.

Mieczkowski earned a degree in business administration from Cleveland State University.

Cullen Mieczkowski killed by Nikolai K. Wheeler in DUI crash Bluffton SC Police 041417 (2)

FRIENDS OF DRIVER KILLED BY WHEELER ESTABLISH GOFUNDME

Our friend and colleague Cullen Mieczkowski was killed by a drunk driver in a tragic accident on Friday 4/14/2017 in Bluffton, SC. We would like to assist his family in preparing for a service and memorial. Your donations in this difficult time are greatly appreciated.

Let’s go big on this one.  DONATE

My name is Bill Kelly and Cullen was a friend of mine. I live in Bluffton, SC. and we were both in Real Estate. These funds will be sent directly to Mr. & Mrs. Mieczkowski to assist with the cost of arrangements and a service/memorial for Cullen.

Thank you,

Bill Kelly
Tanner Sutfin
Daniel Moskowitz

WHEELER NIKOLAI KOVALEVSKY 01/02/90 W M 04/15/17 05:40 Confined
Street Address: 100 KENSINGTON BLVD APT 307
City/State/Zip: BLUFFTON, SC 29910 7467
Race / Gender: N-White, Non-Hisp / Male
Date of Birth: 01/02/90
Height: 6’02”
Weight: 185
Booking Time/Date: 05:40:49 04/15/17
Booking Number: 15834

Arrest Agency :Bluffton PD
Arrest Officer :Rutland, L
StatuteOffenseCourtWarrantBond
56-01-0460(A)(1)(A)DUS/notsuspforDUI-1stBluffton Municipal Court5102P0484953647.5056-05-2945(A)(1)”DUIFelony,greatbodilyinjury”General Sessions Court2017A07202001000.0056-05-2945(A)(2)”DUIFelony,deathresults”General Sessions Court2017A07202001010.0056-05-1210(A)(3)Hit & Run involving DeathGeneral Sessions Court2017A07202001020.0056-05-1210(A)(1)LeavingSceneAcc/PersonalInjGeneral Sessions Court2017A07202001030.00