HAMPTON, SC (Feb. 18, 2026) – An Allendale man responsible for his front-seat passenger’s death in a drunken-driving collision has been sent to prison.
Craig Martell Priester, 44, of Fairfax, pleaded guilty Friday to felony driving under the influence for the Sept. 10, 2020, wreck that killed Dameon Williams and injured a backseat passenger.
Priester’s trial was scheduled to begin next week in Allendale County, but he chose instead to enter a guilty plea Friday during General Sessions Court in Hampton County. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, suspended to 11 years of active service that will be followed by two years of probation. A suspended sentence means the defendant must successfully serve his active sentence and complete probation or face serving the entire sentence.
“The defendant acted with complete recklessness, and Mr. Williams tragically lost his life as a result,” said Lynorr Musser of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case. “We must hold Mr. Priester accountable for his actions.”
Priester was headed eastbound on U.S. 278 when the 2001 Volvo S60 he was driving left the roadway, overcorrected and struck an embankment, overturning several times and landing right-side up. Williams, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. A backseat passenger was on life support for four days.
Priester’s blood alcohol count was .185, more than the legal driving limit.
Priester’s criminal record includes the following convictions: shoplifting (1998); strong arm robbery (1999); attempted armed robbery, assault and battery with intent to kill, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, (sentenced to 10-years) (2000); possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (2006); two counts of third-degree burglary (2009); first-degree assault and battery (sentenced to 10 years, suspended to seven years and five years’ probation (2015); third-degree burglary (2018).
Musser primarily prosecutes cases in Hampton, Allendale and Colleton counties. She has been with the Solicitor’s Office since 2013.
