Man charged in accident
Man charged in accident
A Hollywood man said in court Wednesday that he was sorry for leaving the scene of a bizarre wreck that left two women in the hospital.
"I left. I was nervous," RayRay J. Gates told Charleston County Magistrate Linda Lombard. "Had I known what I know now, I would have stopped."
Gates was charged late Tuesday with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury.
Authorities said Gates was driving a Toyota 4-Runner northbound on U.S. Highway 17 on Tuesday morning when a triple-axle utility trailer he was towing somehow broke free, crossed the median, glanced off one vehicle, then struck another head-on, pinning two women inside.
Rescuers had to use the Jaws of Life to free Patricia Ann Craig, 63, and Ollie Craig, 88, from the car. Both women suffered broken ankles and wrists and cuts that required stitches, according to a Charleston County Sheriff's office affidavit.
Both women were listed in fair condition Wednesday at Medical University Hospital.
Maj. John Clark said deputies arrested Gates overnight after he reported his vehicle stolen to Charleston police. Police referred the case to the Sheriff's Office based on the vehicle description. Clark said deputies spoke with Gates and he eventually admitted he was there.
Gates told Lombard in court Wednesday that it was a "true accident." He said he has been working two jobs since moving here from Buffalo last year, and asked if it was possible he could be released on his own recognizance so he wouldn't lose his jobs or his house.
"I promise I will take care of whatever needs to be taken care of," he said.
Lombard set bail at $50,000 on each charge after considering his record, whether he's a flight risk and the seriousness of the crime.
She said in court that Gates was awaiting trial after being arrested last month on a domestic violence charge. She also noted that his driver's license had been recently suspended.
Reach Andy Paras at 937-5589 or aparas@postandcourier.com.
 | ronmelancon wrote: You should also know that 8 police officers...2 firemen and 1 FBI agent have also been killed by LOOSE Utility Trailers and still nothing is done. So no matter who you are...nothing is getting done. Here is an e mail from a Virginia State trooper.. I'm just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your passion involving these trailers. On a weekly basis I issue summons to operators of these types of vehicles to include dead inspections, no state inspections, no break away brake cable, no safety chains and other related violations. I make an effort to check every 2 axle trailer I pass during my routine patrol duties when I have free time. Some of us do take these matters very seriously. I have even spoken to the assistant manager at my local Home Depot reference them complying with state law and inspecting their rental trailers. I've noticed that some of them now have inspections and I will be checking them again soon, this time while on duty for a bigger impact. On a daily basis I look at the vehicle belonging to the young woman that was killed with her 8 month old child in the vehicle by an unsecured, poorly loaded 2 axle trailer. The vehicle is in the impound lot at our division headquarters. This keeps me motivated to enforce these laws, thanks for all your efforts 1/14/2010 11:44 AM EST on Post and Courier
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 | nopartisan_noproblem wrote: You mention "under investigation" and "I guess" and then tell me not attack the non-existent facts you've posted. How we are inferior to your knowledge and reasoning. 1/14/2010 11:40 AM EST on Post and Courier
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 | early wrote: He is a LIAR, a CRIMINAL, a WOMEN BEATER a real piece of shyt 1/14/2010 11:40 AM EST on Post and Courier
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| | nopartisan_noproblem wrote: "Sop I guess all bloggers are ignorant based on your posts. Like I said pretty stupid comment." Yourself included, obviously. 1/14/2010 11:38 AM EST on Post and Courier
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| | ronmelancon wrote: Please...Please...when you get a moment go to www.dangeroustrailers.org and view "The Story Of Dangerous Trailers" Please note that a six...(6) year old girl was also killed by the same issue. Why are these trailers coming loose and flying across our roadways and causing this much havoc and nobody but our organization is addressing? The life we might be saving is yours...the person who is reading it. Your state has NO regulations on these trailers. In fact you dont even have to register it. The trailer is in violation of Federal Codes... check the code book. 1/14/2010 11:34 AM EST on Post and Courier
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| | miami mad man wrote: SIGN HIM UP FOR THE NORTH CHARLESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HE'S ALREADY PASSED THEIR DRIVING TEST, AND WE ALL KNOW THEY'LL BE HIRING. 1/14/2010 11:31 AM EST on Post and Courier
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 | cannonfodder wrote: $50,000 bond on each charge = $100,000 that means $10,000 to a bondsman or attorney that swipes it before the bondsman gets it... more then likely this guy and his family are not rich. so he is probably sitting in the county lock-up hoping to go back in front of the judge in a week or so and get a bond reduction....it will then be a little easier to get a bondsman to work with him as they will accept down payments and finance the rest. 1/14/2010 10:48 AM EST on Post and Courier
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| | bridgeoperator wrote: and before you attack the typos instead of the facts So, not Sop 1/14/2010 10:42 AM EST on Post and Courier
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| | bridgeoperator wrote: User Image cerveza4lu wrote: nopartisan_noproblem wrote: If only he was married to a DC lieutenant, everything would be all right. So true! When you are a cop or married to a LT. then you are above the law. Pretty stupid comment by both of you! One incident that is under investigation and all Law Enforcement Officers are group together. Sop I guess all bloggers are ignorant based on your posts. Like I said pretty stupid comment. 1/14/2010 10:40 AM EST on Post and Courier
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| | cerveza4lu wrote: nopartisan_noproblem wrote: If only he was married to a DC lieutenant, everything would be all right. So true! When you are a cop or married to a LT. then you are above the law. 1/14/2010 10:18 AM EST on Post and Courier
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| | nopartisan_noproblem wrote: If only he was married to a DC lieutenant, everything would be all right. 1/14/2010 9:24 AM EST on Post and Courier
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| | 1963 wrote: Did he not have a safety chain? I think safety chains are required on trailers. I hate to get behind a vehicle on the interstate that is pulling a trailer. I guess it its a fear the trailer will break loose because of shoddy trailer hitches. It has happened before and it has happened in this situation. 1/14/2010 9:22 AM EST on Post and Courier
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 | slick50 wrote: This man is guilty of being an idiot. Fortunately, that is not a felony. 1/14/2010 9:16 AM EST on Post and Courier
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| | mp wrote: Lessee - already out on bond from a domestic violence charge, has a suspended license, now flees the scene of an accident with injuries that he caused, and he wants out so he can go to work? Somehow, I get the feeling insurance may also be an issue. Question. How do you think he's going to get to work? 1/14/2010 8:29 AM EST on Post and Courier
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| | theronce wrote: He should still have been in jail for domestic violence. 1/14/2010 8:29 AM EST on Post and Courier
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 | eye on you wrote: Way to go CC, N chas police just give up when they do the same thing in their town 1/14/2010 7:03 AM EST on Post and Courier
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 | harpo wrote: Only the disconnection of the trailer was an accident; the rest of this episode was all intentionally criminal. I would take any SOB who leaves the scene of an accident as a flight risk and firmly deny bond. His excuse is pathetic; he should be in (*$#! jail right now. What a cowardly piece of work he is! Driving on a suspended license. Falsely reporting a stolen vehicle. Domestic violence arrest. What the he11 was magistrate Lombard thinking? I hope the two ladies come through this and recover from their injuries alright. I hope this cur does some time for this series of crimes. 1/14/2010 1:27 AM EST on Post and Courier |
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