From Rick Hubbard – 11th Circuit Solicitor – The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is often referred to as the 100 Deadly Days of Summer. However, the following cases all occurred outside of that time period.

Sadly, these crimes occurred throughout the year and resulted from individuals making the poor choice to drive after consuming alcohol or drugs. The deaths of Galen Manapat, Michael Costner, and Dillan Roldan should not have happened. We hope that remembering them will convince others to make better choices not only during the 100 Deadly Days of Summer, but throughout the entire year. Under South Carolina law, Felony Driving Under the Influence, resulting in Death, is classified as a violent, serious, and a “no parole” offense. South Carolina law prohibits driving a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher.

Johnathon Robert Ackiss – sentenced to 10 years. On May 26, 2022, Jonathon Robert Ackiss, a 38-year-old man from Lexington, was sentenced to ten (10) years in prison following a guilty plea to Felony DUI, Involving Death, for the 2020 traffic crash that resulted in the death of Galen Manapat, age 73.

Circuit Court Judge Walton J. McLeod, IV, imposed the sentence. Ackiss was given credit for time served prior to his release on bond and while under home detention with electronic monitoring. On Friday, October 23, 2020, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Ackiss’ Kia Optima failed to yield the right of way when attempting to make a left turn from Platt Springs Road on to McLee Road causing Galen’s scooter to collide into the Kia. Galen was wearing a helmet, however, he passed away at the scene due to his injuries.

When investigators spoke with Ackiss on an ambulance they observed the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him. Investigators also found numerous open and unopened containers of alcoholic beverages in his vehicle. Officers were able to obtain a blood sample from Ackiss pursuant to a search warrant approximately three and half hours after the collision and it was later determined that Ackiss had a blood alcohol level of .216 in addition to a quantity of THC. The case was investigated by South Carolina Department of Public Safety S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper C. C. Woods and the Highway Patrol’s Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT). The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Solicitor Todd Wagoner and Assistant Solicitor Luke Pincelli. Galen served in the United States Navy. He retired as a HVAC technician from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, where he served for 21 years. Prior to his tragic death, he worked as an activity school bus driver for the Lexington One School District. Ackiss has a prior record that includes a driving in an improper lane violation and two separate driving too fast for conditions violations.

Christian Jesus Luna – sentenced to 12 years. On July 20, 2022, Christian Jesus Luna, a 29-year-old-man from Oconee County, was sentenced to twelve (12) years in prison following a guilty plea to Felony DUI, Involving Death, for the 2021 traffic crash in Lexington County that resulted in the death of Michael Costner, age 48, of Morganton, NC. Chief Administrative Judge Debra R. McCaslin imposed the sentence. Luna was given credit for time served prior to his release on bond and while under home detention with electronic monitoring.​On Saturday, February 20, 2021, at approximately 1:55 a.m., Luna’s Dodge Challenger slammed into the rear end of the Dodge Caravan driven by Michael, which had slowed down for construction on Interstate 26 westbound near the 91-mile marker.

Michael passed away at the scene as a result of the injuries he suffered from the collision. Michael was wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred. Two passengers in Michael’s vehicle were also injured in the collision. When troopers spoke with Luna, they observed the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. Luna admitted to consuming four or five beers. ​The South Carolina Highway Patrol’s MAIT Team’s investigation showed that Luna was travelling 127 mph five seconds prior to his airbag deploying and 81mph at 0.1 seconds prior to his airbag deploying. Michael’s vehicle, which had slowed down for construction traffic, was travelling approximately 2mph at 0.1 seconds prior to airbag deployment.​Approximately an hour and a half after the collision, Luna was offered a breath test and his sample was .19. Approximately three hours after the collision, a sample of Luna’s blood was obtained pursuant to a search warrant and it was later determined that Luna had a blood alcohol level of .178.​The case was investigated by former S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Javon Mack and the Highway Patrol’s MAIT Team and prosecuted by Senior Assistant Solicitor Todd Wagoner.​Michael worked as a Bail Bondsman and Fugitive Recovery Agent.​Luna’s prior record included convictions for speeding in 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2020 in the State of South Carolina and a 2012 conviction for speeding and 2016 reckless driving in the State of Virginia.

Arcenio Perez Maldonado – sentenced to 15 years. On August 15, 2022, Arcenio Perez Maldonado, a 34-year-old man from Gaston, was sentenced to fifteen (15) years in prison following a guilty plea to Felony DUI, Involving Death, for the 2021 traffic crash that resulted in the death of 15-year-old Dillan Roldan, of Pelion. Chief Administrative Judge Debra R. McCaslin imposed the sentence. On Friday,

February 5, 2021, at approximately 7:20 p.m., Perez Maldonado’s Toyota Tacoma crossed over the centerline of SC-6, sideswiping a Toyota Sequoia causing the Sequoia to collide with a Chevrolet Cobalt driven by Cindy Olson. Cindy’s son, Dillan Roldan, a student at Pelion High School, suffered catastrophic injuries that required that he be airlifted to Prisma Health Richland. Dillan died as a result of his injuries on February 11, 2022. Cindy reported to law enforcement that she could smell beer on the breath of Perez Maldonado. Officers initially charged Perez Maldonado with Felony Driving Under the Influence, Great Bodily Injury Results. However, upon learning of Dillan’s death, law enforcement upgraded his original charge to this more serious charge. In the course of the investigation, Perez Maldonado’s blood sample was obtained pursuant to a search warrant approximately three and a half hours after the collision and it was later determined that he had a blood alcohol level of .187.The case was investigated by S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper William Cook and the Highway Patrol’s MAIT Team. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Solicitor Todd Wagoner.

All three of these offenders have been transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to serve their active prison sentences.