South Carolina: Highway Patrol reports the arrest of Jesse Gene Speer for felony DWI hit and run; killed couple on motorcycle

HIT AND RUN COWARD FLED AFTER KILLING COUPLE!

South Carolina Highway Patrol reports the arrest of Jesse Gene Speer for felony DWI hit and run; killed couple on motorcycle

Jesse Gene Speer charged with Felony DUI hit and run killed two 070316 SC Highway Patrol Anderson County Jail

Jesse Gene Speer charged with Felony DUI hit and run killed two 070316 SC Highway Patrol Anderson County Jail

From WYFF

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. 07/04/2016 —A judge set bail for the man charged with hitting and killing two people riding a motorcycle Sunday morning.

Cpl. Bill Rhyne with the South Carolina Highway Patrol office said Jesse Gene Speer, 35, of Anderson, was driving a 2005 Nissan Altima that hit the Harley Davidson from behind, causing the motorcycle to crash.

Speer’s bail was set Sunday evening at $500,000.

In court, he apologized  and cried saying, “I would like to tell the family that I’m sorry … . (I) didn’t know I had hit anybody. Didn’t know what had happened.”

The motorcycle’s operator and a passenger were both thrown from the Harley-Davidson and died at the scene, Rhyne said. Troopers said neither of the victims was wearing a helmet.

Anderson County Deputy Coroner Don McCown said Bryan Donald Smith and his wife, Shannon Michelle Smith — both 46 — died in the wreck.

Rhyne said the wreck happened around 2:45 a.m. on State Highway 28 near State Highway 24 less than a mile west of Anderson. …MORE

Photo courtesy of DAVID ROGERS SPECIAL TO INDEPENDENT MAIL South Carolina troopers and Anderson County Deputy Coroner Don McCown investigate at the scene of a fatal motorcycle wreck on Dunn

Photo courtesy of DAVID ROGERS SPECIAL TO INDEPENDENT MAIL South Carolina troopers and Anderson County Deputy Coroner Don McCown investigate at the scene of a fatal motorcycle wreck on Dunn Road.

From Anderson Independent Mail

James Garvin said Sunday that he wished he had more time with his friends Bryan Donald Smith and Shannon Michelle Smith.

“My family personally has known them about two years. And I wish 20,” Garvin said. “Shannon was a true angel and gift from above. Bryan to me was special in him just always being Bryan. Day 1 we had this mutual respect for each other and could talk pretty open on most all subjects, even agreeing to disagree.”

Garvin said the Smiths were kindhearted. Shannon Smith helped Garvin’s wife recover after shoulder surgery. Bryan Smith was mechanically inclined and had recently finished rebuilding a water ski to take out on the lake this weekend. Garvin said he was helping Smith get the registration and other papers in order. …MORE