Weather Data Source: South Carolina Weather

Community Remembers Kelly Farmer in Memorial Service

Article Sponsored by:

Want to target the right audience? Sponsor our site and choose your specific industry to connect with a relevant audience.

What Sponsors Receive:
Prominent brand mentions across targeted, industry-focused articles
High-visibility placements that speak directly to an engaged local audience
Guaranteed coverage that maximizes exposure and reinforces your brand presence
Interested in seeing what sponsored content looks like on our platform?
Browse Examples of Sponsored News and Articles:
May’s Roofing & Contracting
Forwal Construction
NSC Clips
Real Internet Sales
Suited
Florida4Golf
Click the button below to sponsor our articles:
Community members attending a memorial service with flowers and candles

News Summary

A memorial service for Kelly Farmer, a public works employee and musician, took place in Summerville following his tragic hit-and-run death. Over 100 attended to honor his life and raise awareness about the rising issue of hit-and-run incidents in the region. Farmer’s family emphasizes accountability for the driver responsible, as investigations into countless similar cases continue, highlighting the community’s call for improved road safety.

Summerville – A memorial service for Kelly Farmer, a public works employee and beloved local musician, took place on May 10, 2025, at St. John The Beloved’s Madden Hall in Summerville. Farmer was killed in a tragic hit-and-run incident on April 13, 2025, while walking on Dorchester Road.

The service was attended by over 100 family members, friends, and community members who gathered to remember Farmer as a caring, outgoing individual who always looked for the positives in life. His family continues to honor his memory while seeking accountability for the driver who left the scene of the accident.

The issue of hit-and-run incidents is significant in the tri-county area, where over 100 people have died in such accidents in the past decade. Between January 2015 and May 2025, there were recorded 103 fatal hit-and-run incidents. Of these, charges were filed in 73 cases, but approximately 30 fatalities remain unsolved as of now. Cpl. Nick Pye from the South Carolina Highway Patrol emphasized that every case is investigated using available resources until the responsible party is identified and brought to justice.

Community Call for Action

Katie Farmer, Kelly’s sister, expressed disbelief that someone could abandon another person after harming them. She urged the importance of remaining at the scene to assist others and allow law enforcement to handle the situation properly.

Series of Hit-and-Runs

The community is grappling with a rise in hit-and-run incidents, which have a commonality in the reasons drivers may flee, including driving without a valid license or insurance, having outstanding warrants, or acting out of panic. Witnesses are vital in these cases, as the police encourage anyone who sees suspicious vehicle damage or relevant details to report them.

In line with this problem, another incident occurred recently when Zinja Devine, a 61-year-old man, was killed in a hit-and-run on Interstate 26 shortly after midnight on May 23, 2025. The ongoing investigations highlight the challenges law enforcement faces in solving these cases, although some succeed when leads become available, such as in the case of truck driver William Bennett, who was killed in March.

Fatalities and Road Safety

Many pedestrian fatalities arise from individuals crossing roads in unsafe manners, frequently not using crosswalks or signals. An analysis of pedestrian safety indicated that the five deadliest roads for pedestrians in Charleston County include Dorchester Road, Remount Road, Rivers Avenue, Ashley Phosphate Road, and U.S. Highway 17.

South Carolina ranks 17th in the nation for annual hit-and-run fatalities per capita, reporting a total of 374 fatal crashes due to hit-and-runs from 2013 to 2025. The most lethal year was 2021, when the state recorded 53 fatalities due to these incidents. However, hit-and-runs constitute only 4.3% of all fatal crashes in the state between 2015 and 2023.

Fleeing the scene of a fatal accident can result in severe penalties, potentially leading to a prison sentence of up to 25 years and a fine of $25,000. Notably, in the last decade, no one in the tri-county area has been sentenced to the maximum penalty for such actions.

Conclusion

The memorial for Kelly Farmer not only celebrated his life but also brought attention to the ongoing crisis of hit-and-run accidents in the region. With the community’s support and heightened awareness, there is hope for improved accountability and road safety, ensuring that the memories of those lost are honored through proactive measures.

OSZAR »

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Local Bicyclist Dies in Collision with Semi-Truck
Tragic U-Haul Pursuit Ends in Fatal Crash in Charleston
Tragic Tree-Trimming Accident Near Malibu: Lawyer Advocates for Justice
Man Arrested After Hit-and-Run Injures Children on Playground
Major Overhaul in Florida’s Personal Injury Laws: What Lawyers Should Know
Tragic Hit-and-Run Claims Life of USC Student
Tragic Hit-and-Run Claims Life of USC Student
Columbia Community Grieves Loss of Student in Hit-and-Run
Tragic Police Chase Ends in Fatal Crash in Charleston
Tragic Boat Crash in Clearwater Leaves One Dead and Many Injured

Additional Resources

Community Remembers Kelly Farmer in Memorial Service

HERE Charleston
Author: HERE Charleston

ADD MORE INFORMATION OR CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ARTICLE CLICK HERE!
Article Sponsored by:

Want to target the right audience? Sponsor our site and choose your specific industry to connect with a relevant audience.

What Sponsors Receive:
Prominent brand mentions across targeted, industry-focused articles
High-visibility placements that speak directly to an engaged local audience
Guaranteed coverage that maximizes exposure and reinforces your brand presence
Interested in seeing what sponsored content looks like on our platform?
Browse Examples of Sponsored News and Articles:
May’s Roofing & Contracting
Forwal Construction
NSC Clips
Real Internet Sales
Suited
Florida4Golf
Click the button below to sponsor our articles:

Construction Management Software for Contractors in Charleston, SC

In Charleston, SC, contractors rely on CMiC for a construction management solution that enhances visibility across every project phase. The software offers seamless integration between financials, field operations, and compliance tracking, allowing construction firms in Charleston to maintain efficiency while managing multiple job sites.

Learn More about CMiC’s offerings here. 

Stay Connected

More Updates

Would You Like To Add Your Business?

Sign Up Now and get your local business listed!

OSZAR »