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SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)— In a tragic incident on Sunday afternoon, a DUI arrest was made after two children were fatally struck by a vehicle while they were bicycling on a sidewalk in Spartanburg.
Eri Otoniel Roberto Perez faces charges of felony DUI resulting in death and driving without a license, following the deaths of 12-year-old Dereon James Robins and 9-year-old Mikhail-Lee Smith, as reported by the Spartanburg County Detention Center.
The heartbreaking accident occurred around 12:15 p.m. on Asheville Highway near Brock Street. Perez was allegedly behind the wheel of a 2016 Honda Accord when he veered off the road, tragically colliding with the two young bicyclists.
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office reported that they were alerted about a death in the Spartanburg Medical Center emergency room an hour after the crash. Robins was identified as the victim, with his death pronounced at 1:26 p.m.
While en route to respond, the coroner’s office learned of a second fatality linked to the same incident. Upon reaching the hospital, officials were directed to the operating room, where they were informed that Smith had also succumbed to his injuries.
Perez was allegedly intoxicated and driving at high speed when he lost control of the vehicle and hit the children.
The suspect is scheduled for a bond hearing at the detention center on Monday at 2 p.m.
The crash remains under investigation by the SCHP.