Charles Wesley Varn of Lexington County, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following a recent conviction in Lexington County General Sessions Court on December 17. Varn entered a plea to Felony DUI involving Death for a 2023 vehicle crash in which eight (8) week old Gabriel Arroyo was killed. Felony DUI involving Death carries a minimum of one year in prison and a maximum of twenty-five (25) years in prison. Judge Roger M. Young, Sr., imposed the maximum sentence on Varn, who is sixty-six (66) years old.

At approximately 9:18 PM on Sunday, August 13, 2023, Varn was driving a 2017 Toyota Tacoma and slammed into the back of a 2007 Saturn Vue on SC-302 near Pelion, causing the Saturn to overturn. Tragically, Gabriel Arroyo, who was in an infant car seat in the rear of the Saturn, died from injuries sustained during the collision. Varn initially denied drinking, but later admitted to consuming alcohol. Troopers investigating the collision determined that Varn was under the influence. Troopers also located an open container of alcohol in Varn’s vehicle.

Several hours after the collision, officers obtained a sample of the Defendant’s blood after obtaining a search warrant. The SLED forensic lab analyzed Varn’s blood and found quantities of prescription drugs in his system. Varn’s blood alcohol content was 0.194, more than double the inference level (0.08) for impairment in South Carolina.

The case was investigated by S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Clifton Nelson and the Highway Patrol’s Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT). The MAIT team was able to determine that Varn was travelling at approximately 100 miles per hour at the time of the collision (the speed limit in the area where the collision occurred was 55 miles per hour).

During the sentencing hearing, Gabriella Lopez, Gabriel’s mother, told the Court that August 13^th is now a “day that almost seems haunted”, that she now suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that the Defendant’s actions have resulted in a “lifetime of grief” for she and her husband. Gabriel was their only child. Camilo Arroyo, Gabriel’s father, relayed to the Court that his “heart is shattered” and that he does not want anyone to experience what his family has suffered due to the Defendant’s actions.

Varn has an extensive criminal history, with convictions for Assault on a Police Officer, Pointing and Presenting a Firearm, Arson, and numerous other offenses. His criminal record dates back to 1978. Varn had six (6) prior DUI convictions at the time of this offense. Those convictions spanned the years of 1986, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2002, and 2022.

Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Young stated that there was no sentence that could dissuade Varn from drinking and driving, telling Varn “I don’t know what will stop you”.

The case was prosecuted by 11^th Circuit Senior Assistant Solicitor Todd Wagoner and Assistant Solicitor Bruce Norton. Following the sentence, Wagoner stated: “While we appreciate that Mr. Varn ultimately accepted responsibility in this case, our hope is that people will choose to be responsible before they get behind the wheel of an automobile by ensuring that they have a safe and sober driver. If Charles Varn had made a responsible decision on August 13, 2023, Gabriella Lopez and Camilo Arroyo would have never had to bury their precious son, Gabriel.”

Felony DUI involving Death is classified as a no-parole offense. Varn has been transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin service of the sentence.