July 30, 2025

Man Sentenced to 20 Years for DUI Crash in Greenwood

News Summary

Robert Charles Regan has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a DUI crash that resulted in the death of 85-year-old Army veteran David Rearden. Regan fled from police during the chase, which ended fatally when he collided with Rearden’s vehicle. Regan was found with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit and has been ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years before becoming eligible for parole. This incident underscores the severe consequences of reckless and impaired driving.

Greenwood, South Carolina – Robert Charles Regan, a 42-year-old man from Greenwood, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following a DUI crash that resulted in the death of 85-year-old Army veteran David Rearden. Regan pled guilty to felony DUI resulting in death and failure to stop for blue lights resulting in death during a court appearance in December 2023.

In addition to his prison sentence, Regan will serve a 10-year term of probation after his release. Circuit Judge Eugene C. Griffith presided over the case and mandated that Regan must serve a minimum of 17 years, or 85% of his sentence, before being eligible for parole.

The events leading to the sentencing began when Regan, driving under the influence, was pulled over by law enforcement for erratic behavior on the Highway 72 Bypass. Upon being notified of the suspected DUI, Regan fled from the scene, instigating a police chase. During the pursuit, Regan drove at high speeds, reaching 68 mph in a 35 mph zone shortly before the fatal encounter.

As he evaded the police, Regan collided with Rearden’s SUV on the driver’s side. Rearden succumbed to his injuries while en route to the hospital. During the chase, Regan also struck a police vehicle, prompting officers to respond aggressively to stop him. Eventually, an officer managed to push Regan’s vehicle off the road, leading officers to break a window to remove him at gunpoint when Regan refused to exit the vehicle.

A toxicology report revealed Regan’s blood-alcohol level was 0.109, which is above the legal limit of 0.08. Following his arrest, Regan admitted to being drunk during phone calls from jail, explaining that he fled from law enforcement to evade a DUI charge.

The victim’s family was present at the court hearing, sharing their grief over the loss of Rearden, who had contributed to the community and served in the military. The case highlighted how a moment of reckless decision-making could lead to irreversible tragedy. Eighth Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo remarked that the family’s loss could have been avoided if Regan had complied with law enforcement rather than fleeing.

The prosecution was led by Senior Assistant Solicitor Andrew Hodges, with support from Investigator Blake Moore and Victim Advocate Rhetta Smith. Regan was legally represented by attorney Aaron Taylor throughout the proceedings.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dire consequences of driving under the influence, reinforcing the importance of obeying traffic laws and cooperating with law enforcement to ensure public safety.

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Additional Resources

Author: HERE Greenwood

The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.

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