Chesterfield County mourns deputy killed in crash
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Chesterfield Deputy Reaction
Chesterfield Deputy Reaction
Ben Greene/WBTW
A blue and white ribbon is tied to the side of the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office after Sgt. Darryl Quick died in a head-on collision Wednesday night just north of McBee. He was off duty at the time of the crash.
and Jamie Rogers
Published: July 23, 2008
Updated: July 24, 2008
CHESTERFIELD — A small wreath hanging on a door at the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office is a silent reminder that the agency has one less deputy after a fatal crash near McBee on Wednesday night.
Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Sgt. Darryl Quick, 42, of Cheraw was off duty when he was killed instantly after the 2000 Cadillac he was driving collided head-on with a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, according to S.C. Highway Patrol reports.
SEND YOUR CONDOLENCES
Veteran Chesterfield County law enforcement officer Sgt. Darryl Quick died in a car crash Wednesday evening on U.S. 1 north of McBee. Click here to send your condolences.
The day after the crash, Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker sat in his office and remembered all the things that made Quick special to the force.
“He’s Mr. Happy. He was just a very professional person,” he said. “Mr. GQ if they ever made one. Mr. Neat. Mr. Clean, and we remembered him by that more than anything.”
Quick had been with the department for about nine years, Parker said.
“(He’s) dedicated, loyal, respectable ...” Parker said. “A great guy and, you know, you just can’t get any better. (He’s) one guy that’s dedicated to me, loyal to this department, loyal to the community.”
A feeling of shock and disbelief prevailed among Parker and his deputies as news of the crash spread.
Quick was probably one of the safest drivers in the entire department, Parker said.
“(I) just didn’t believe it. Of course, like all of us, I’ve got to go see myself and then that’s what exactly we did,” he said. “(It’s) heartbreaking to know that someone of his caliber has lost his life ... in a traffic accident.”
Quick was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash as a result of the head trauma, Chesterfield County Coroner Donnie Baker said.
The driver of the other vehicle, 33-year-old Michael Lambert of Patrick was taken to Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville where he was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at press time Thursday.
Troopers said they suspect alcohol was a factor in the crash. A toxicology test was performed on Lambert but he hasn’t been charged in connection with the crash, S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Jeff Gaskins said.
Toxicology testing isn’t complete and charges aren’t necessarily contingent on the results of that test, Gaskins said.
Quick’s body wasn’t sent for an autopsy because the cause of his death was clear, Baker said.
Information, however, was submitted to the State Law Enforcement Division to verify what substances, if any, were present in Quick’s system at the time of the crash.
It is expected to take several weeks before local authorities receive the results from either test.
Troopers are working to reconstruct the crash to ascertain exactly what happened, Gaskins said.
The crash happened at about 6:55 p.m. on U.S. 1 about four miles outside of McBee, according to Highway Patrol reports.
Quick’s funeral is tentatively scheduled for Sunday at First Baptist Church in Cheraw.
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Reader Reactions
I don’t understand why one had a toxicology test and the other just had information sent to SLED. What was the information that was sent to SLED? Could have just been someone’s opinion that he was not under the influence of anything. Two people were in an accident, one was in law enforcement worthy of all the praise and all the reports indicate the other was just a piece of meat not to be given any consideration other than to indicate he was DUI. I know nothing about either of them except what I have read and seen on TV which would lead a person to believe one is a saint and the other is the devil. For all I know neither or both of them were DUI. I think I could have figured out by now which of them was at fault so I wonder why it is taking the HP so long. Maybe they just don’t want to say.
I totally agree with earthmover.
Still praying for Sqt Quick’s loved ones and Mr. Lambert.
“Information, however, was submitted to the State Law Enforcement Division to verify what substances, if any, were present in Quick’s system at the time of the crash”.
“It is expected to take several weeks before local authorities receive the results from either test”.
To What - what part of the above statement do you not understand. “Information was sent to SLED” - “weeks to receive results from EITHER test”. Sounds like to me that they tested both drivers.
You will be missed 105. Chesterfield County lost one of its best, if not the best. God bless your family.
Great response earthmover!
to: what
I dont care wheather or not you are a SHP, Deputy, City policeman, E.M.T. or a Firefighter. if you loose your life on or off duty you should be remembered in a diffrent way than just a private citizen. Because you are not just a private citizen, you are protecting & or serving your community where you live. I’m sorry if you feel the accident is being handled diffrently because one was in law enforcement.As for seatbelts I have seen times where if they were wearing one they would have survived & also if they were wearing one they would have lost there life. Remember: the life they save one day might just be yours. ( We will miss you #105 ) We will See you again.
We have lost a great friend and fellow officer. God Bless his family in this time of need. His family are in our thoughts and prayers.We will see Daryl again someday.
To: What
I think the law requires for test to be done on the deceased if I am not mistaken but they will have to be run and sent back. As far as the seat belts I thing the enfo should be published, I for one believe in their usage.There will be a final report and I am sure it will be availiable for the public.
“Troopers said they suspect alcohol was a factor in the crash. A toxicology test was performed on Lambert. Information, however, was submitted to the State Law Enforcement Division to verify what substances, if any, were present in Quick’s system at the time of the crash.“ Why not toxicology test on both? Alcohol is mentioned with Lambert but not with Quick, why? Where is the old statement as to who was wearing seatbelts? I don’t know Mr. Lambert or Mr. Quick but they were both just private citizens when the accident happened yet it appears they are being treated differently. It appears the accident is being handled differently because one worked in law enforcement.
I believe that Chesterfield Co lost a good man last night, and Chesterfield Co Sheriff Office lost a good deputy.
Praying that God will comfort his family and friends.
May God be with and bless his family.
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