FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2001

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol has determined both drivers contributed to an April 6 collision in North in which Marion Schofield of Salley was killed.

Keith Leifer, 2223 B Sharpes Hill Road, has been charged with reckless homicide and John Richard Brailey, 580 Pond Bluff Road, has been charged with failure to yield right of way. Schofield, 39, was a passenger in Brailey’s vehicle.

Leifer was travelling south on U.S. 321 around 9:45 p.m. at a high rate of speed. Brailey was travelling west on Secondary 288 when he failed to yield right of way. Brailey’s car was struck by Leifer’s car on the passenger’s side as Brailey entered U.S. 321.

Leifer, a sergeant with the North Police Department, was on duty in his police cruiser at the time of the collision but was not responding to a call. He did not have his lights or siren activated.

The Highway Patrol MAIT Unit has been investigating the collision and working with the First Circuit Solicitor’s Officer on charges. Both Leifer and Brailey were charged Tuesday, May 8. The Highway Patrol arrested Leifer on Tuesday and he was released after posting a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.

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SI/66/01

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