Two children, adult die in Saturday crash

Lance Cpl. Robert Beres (left) with the South Carolina Highway Patrol talks to law enforcement officer on the scene of a fatal wreck which killed three and sent two others to the hospital. The wreck occurred at approximately 2 a.m. when a 2000 Volvo driven by Phillip Ronald Marshall struck a 1980 Chevy from behind. Marshall has been charged with felony DUI, and two felony counts of hit and run. Marshall is being held at the Florence County Detention Center in Effingham.

By: | SCNow
Published: June 14, 2008

FLORENCE – A four-year old, a nine-year-old and an adult are dead – all from one car – and the driver of a second car now faces felony DUI charges in the wake of a two-car crash early Saturday morning on US 76 in front of Francis Marion University.

Florence County Coroner Bubba Matthews identified the dead as Jamahl Robinson, 4; Shajaisia Robinson, 9; and Armenis Cato Jr, 55.

They died around 2 a.m. when the 1980 Chevrolet they were in was struck from behind by a 2000 Volvo driven by Phillip Roland Marshall, 31, of Florence, South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Bob Beres said.

UPDATE

Marshall’s bond was set at a total $65,000 on Sunday. Marshall faces five counts of felony DUI and hit and run. Bernadette Robinson says she now faces herself, and continuing on without the family she’s known. Details here.

Two others in the Chevrolet, including the children’s mother, were taken to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Both cars were heading west at the time of the crash.

Marshall is in custody at the Florence County Detention Center.