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Man Charged in Hit-and-Run Incident on Sullivan’s Island

Community Playground Safety

News Summary

Justin Collin Adams, 36, faces multiple charges after a hit-and-run in South Carolina injured a parent and two children. The incident occurred when Adams stole his mother’s car and drove recklessly into a playground area, striking three individuals. Following a manhunt, he was arrested and denied bail during a bond hearing. The community is now advocating for stricter safety regulations after expressing concerns about child safety in the area.

South Carolina – A man named Justin Collin Adams, 36, has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run incident that injured a parent and two children on Sullivan’s Island on May 1. Adams faces significant legal repercussions, including three counts of attempted murder and two counts of first-degree assault and battery.

The incident occurred around 12:50 p.m. when Adams allegedly threatened his 67-year-old mother with a knife while in her vehicle. After she exited the vehicle in fear for her safety, Adams took her car without permission and drove at a high speed toward the playground of Sunrise Presbyterian Church where numerous children were present. The reckless driving led to Adams hitting a 12-year-old boy, resulting in injuries. He then struck a teacher, who was thrown over the hood and roof of the car, before running over another boy of 10 years old, pinning him underneath the vehicle when it finally stopped.

Emergency services were quick to respond, taking all three victims to local hospitals for treatment. As per reports, the adult and one child are in stable condition, while the other child received on-site treatment and was released to another parent. During the collision, the vehicle’s airbags deployed, indicating the severity of the incident.

After the crash, Adams fled the scene on foot, which initiated an extensive manhunt involving around 130 law enforcement personnel, helicopters, and drones. Local police, along with the FBI and NCIS, conducted meticulous grid searches. Adams was ultimately found hiding in a boat docked behind a residence, leading to his arrest. He was apprehended after being spotted by the pilots in the Air 1 Chopper and taken to the Charleston County Detention Center.

During a bond hearing, Adams was denied bail regarding the attempted murder charges. He has been ordered not to contact the victims and is barred from returning within a 5-mile radius of the incident location. In light of the disturbing nature of the incident, newly released affidavits indicate that he now faces an additional three counts of first-degree assault and battery.

The family of 10-year-old victim Tanner Czuar expressed their concern over safety measures on Sullivan’s Island. They highlighted the need for stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future, stating that the severity of this incident felt akin to a fatality. They are actively looking into existing state laws to support their advocacy efforts.

This unfortunate event has also captured the attention of local lawmakers. U.S. Representative Nancy Mace visited the Czuar family to recognize Tanner’s bravery during the troubling incident and presented him with the Patriot Award for his courage under duress.

The ongoing developments, including legal proceedings against Adams and discussions surrounding safety regulations, highlight a community rallying for change in the wake of a traumatic incident that has left its mark on Sullivan’s Island.