NMB officer named in lawsuit after 2023 DUI crash
A lawsuit has been filed against a North Myrtle Beach police officer, Christopher King, who is charged with DUI following a crash in Surfside Beach. The plaintiff, Magellan Senior, was traveling north on Highway 17 when King, allegedly driving under the influence, made an illegal left turn from a U-turn lane and collided with Senior’s vehicle, causing it to flip over. The lawsuit states that King fled the scene after the accident.
The lawsuit claims that King's reckless behavior resulted in significant damage to Senior's vehicle and serious bodily injuries to Senior. While King is identified as the driver in the initial witness statements, another account suggests that Brittany Rumola, the owner of the vehicle, may have been driving instead. If Rumola is found to have been the driver, the lawsuit asserts that claims of negligence could still apply to her due to her awareness of King’s intoxicated state.
The lawsuit accuses King of negligence for failing to operate his vehicle safely, driving while intoxicated, and fleeing the scene of an accident. It also states that Senior has endured permanent injuries, mental anguish, and financial losses, which include medical expenses and lost wages. Senior is seeking damages to be determined by a jury.
King’s arrest took place shortly after the collision, where he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and DUI. In response, the North Myrtle Beach Police Department placed him on administrative duty pending an internal investigation. King has served the department for eight years and holds the position of Traffic Division supervisor.
Senior's attorney, Brent Kaufman, expressed concern over the incident, highlighting the troubling nature of a law enforcement officer engaging in such reckless behavior. Kaufman emphasized the importance of accountability for those responsible, asserting that their client, who bears no fault, should receive justice for the severe injuries sustained as a result of this preventable crash.