Charlotte Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Reckless Homicide of 7-year-old in South Carolina Car Crash

The Charlotte man accused of murdering a 7-year-old in a car accident in South Carolina was found guilty of reckless homicide and sentenced Friday.

Judge Brian Gibbons of the Chester County Circuit Court sentenced Jason Palmer to a maximum of thirty years in prison. A jury also found the 37-year-old guilty of aggravated assault and battery.

According to court filings, on July 10, 2022, Palmer’s vehicle collided with a family of four on Interstate 77, killing the 7-year-old passenger and leaving the father with “permanent” disabilities.

According to the Sixth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Palmer was going at 98 mph when he collided with Shanks’ vehicle.

“Since July 10, 2022, the Shanks family has waited for the defendant Jason Palmer to accept responsibility for his reckless and dangerous driving that led to the death of their 7-year-old son,” according to a statement from the court.

“The Sixth Circuit solicitors’ office expresses heartfelt gratitude to the SCHP, Chester County first responders, and everyone affected by the tragedy that occurred on that day. It truly required a collaborative effort to deliver justice to this family.”
Reference: Charlotte man convicted of killing 7-year-old, injuring father in Chester County I-77 crash