Spartanburg DUI Tragedy: Suspect’s Bond Denied in Heartbreaking Case Involving Two Children

An emotional bond hearing unfolded in Spartanburg, S.C., where a man accused of causing the tragic deaths of two local children was denied bond.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that Eri Perez was driving along Asheville Highway on a Sunday afternoon when his vehicle veered off the road, tragically striking two children on their bicycles.

The victims were identified as nine-year-old Mikhail-Lee Smith and 12-year-old Dereon James Robinson, who were both fatally injured in the accident.

Despite being swiftly transported to Spartanburg Medical Center, the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the boys succumbed to their injuries roughly an hour later.

At the hearing, Barry Barnette, the Spartanburg County solicitor, stated that upon arrival at the scene, state troopers observed that Perez appeared to be severely intoxicated.

“They smelled a strong alcoholic beverage coming from him. His speech was so slurred he couldn’t convey any thoughts or answer questions,” he said.

Barnette added that Perez had bloodshot eyes, could not stand on his own, and was unable to complete a field sobriety test.

Perez later admitted to troopers that he’d been drinking heavily during the weekend.

Deputies said there was a passenger in Perez’s car at the time of the crash, but he fled the scene before investigators arrived. He has not yet been located by authorities.

Perez has been charged with two felony counts of DUI resulting in death, driving with no license, and violating open container laws.

The two felony charges carry 25-year sentences each, according to the solicitor.

Dereon Robinson’s mother, Megan Wilson, and his brother, were walking alongside the boys when the crash happened.

She spoke during the hearing, describing the horrific moment.

“I need him to know he took a child before his birthday. I watched him almost hit me and then I ran to my son and held my son while he bled to death,” Wilson described. “In front of his 10-year-old brother, and you took his best friend at the same time.”

Mikhail-Lee Smith’s mother, Nikkita Christopher, wondered why the suspect was driving so fast.

“Why were you driving so fast? There’s kids on that road,” Christopher said. “You took a baby’s life. Two baby’s lives, just cause you wanted to drink. I don’t know where you’re from, but we don’t do that here.”

Robinson’s older brother, James McDowell, also spoke during the hearing. He told the judge he now has to bury his brother, who looked up to him, on his own birthday.

“I shouldn’t have to bury my brother before he buries me or my mother. My mom should not have had to see anything she saw,” he said. “Please stop drinking and driving.”

He added that this isn’t the first innocent death from someone drinking and driving, but it should be the last.

Before the denial verdict for Perez’s bond was announced, Barnette said Perez is a danger to the community and a flight risk, as he is not a U.S. citizen. The judge said an ICE detainer will be filed for Perez.

Perez is scheduled to appear in court for the two felony DUI charges on June 18.