CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C, Passenger Ejected in Johns Island Crash Identified as 30-Year-Old Man
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. Authorities in Charleston County have released the identity of a man who died after being ejected from a vehicle during a crash on Johns Island earlier this month. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office confirmed the victim as 30-year-old Julian Navarro-Hernandez, a resident of Johns Island. Officials noted that the exact time of his death remains undetermined.
The crash occurred on the evening of August 22, when deputies from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Fickling Hill Road around 7 p.m. in response to reports of a serious collision. Upon arrival, deputies encountered the driver of the vehicle involved, who initially told officers that a passenger had been riding with them at the time of the accident.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies began searching the nearby area based on that information. However, after further questioning, the driver retracted their initial statement and claimed they were the sole occupant of the car during the crash. The driver was later transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the wreck.
For several days, the circumstances surrounding the crash remained unclear. Then, on the Monday following the accident, a resident walking their property near the crash site discovered a body. Deputies with the sheriff’s office traffic unit and forensic services unit responded to the scene to investigate the discovery.
Authorities later confirmed that the remains belonged to Navarro-Hernandez. Investigators determined that he had been ejected from the vehicle during the collision, which explained why his body had not been immediately located during the initial search. The coroner’s office then took custody of his body to conduct further examinations.
The discovery of Navarro-Hernandez’s body has raised questions about the sequence of events and the accuracy of the statements provided by the driver in the aftermath of the crash. Officials have not released information on whether the driver will face charges, nor have they commented on why conflicting statements were made regarding the presence of a passenger.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing. The agency’s traffic unit and forensic services division continue to work together to gather evidence and reconstruct the accident in order to establish a clear timeline of what happened. Autopsy and toxicology results may also provide additional insight into the circumstances of Navarro-Hernandez’s death.
For now, authorities have not shared further details about what may have caused the crash or what role, if any, impairment, speed, or road conditions may have played. Officials are expected to release additional updates as the investigation progresses.
The death of Navarro-Hernandez has brought a somber note to Johns Island, where residents are left with lingering questions about the unusual circumstances of the crash. While investigators continue piecing together the facts, law enforcement officials are urging patience as they work toward determining the full truth behind the tragic incident.
News source: Counton2
