BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – A routine traffic stop nearly turned deadly when a second drunk driver crashed into a patrol cruiser, barely missing deputies arresting another impaired motorist.
Lauren Michelle Skinner, 32, of Moncks Corner, was arrested early Saturday morning after she slammed into a marked patrol vehicle near South Live Oak Drive, where deputies were already detaining another DUI suspect, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
Body camera footage captured the shocking moment as officers stood mere feet from the wreck.
SEE ALSO:
- Young Life Lost: DUI Crash Leads to Goose Creek Arrest
- Toddler Killed In Berkeley County Crash, Driver Faces DUI Charges
- Ex-NCPD Cop Charged With Second DUI In 3 Days In Berkeley County
The South Carolina Highway Patrol later charged Skinner with Driving Under the Influence – Second Offense, Driving Under Suspension – Second Offense, and Transporting Alcohol with a Broken Seal. Her bond was set at $4,527.50.
Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis called the crash a chilling reminder of the risks officers face daily.
“This could have ended with one of our deputies being killed,” Lewis said. “People often don’t realize how quickly a normal traffic stop can turn into a life-threatening situation. Impaired driving is reckless, selfish, and puts everyone at risk — including those who protect our communities.”
📣 STAY IN THE LOOP 📣
📰 Sign Up for Berkeley County, SC Newsletter ⬅️
Despite the chaos, no officers were injured. Authorities continue to warn drivers about the dangers of impaired driving and urge caution on the roads.
