The Bland Richter Law Firm announced today the filing of a lawsuit against the City of Folly Beach and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) on behalf of the estate of Belinda Faye Prim. The lawsuit alleges negligence and wrongful death stemming from an incident on June 26th, 2023, in which Prim was fatally struck by a Folly Beach police vehicle while attempting to cross the Septima P. Clark Parkway.
Prim, a 66-year-old resident of Charleston County, died along the Septima P. Clark Parkway, a roadway that has claimed the lives of at least eight pedestrians since 2012. The lawsuit contends that the necessary safety improvements have not been implemented, resulting in a hazardous environment for pedestrians.
“While the politicians and SCDOT hold meetings, conduct studies, publish statements, and point fingers, the crosstown remains a killing machine," Attorney Ronnie Richter, who represents the plaintiff, said. "The latest victim of the bureaucracy’s failure to fix the crosstown is Belinda Faye Prim.”
In a joint statement between Richter and partner Eric Bland, they said:
"Belinda Prim's death is a heartbreaking example of the failure to address the dangerous conditions along the Septima P. Clark Parkway. We are committed to pursuing justice on behalf of Belinda and her family. The City of Folly Beach and the South Carolina Department of Transportation must be held accountable for their negligence, and we will vigorously advocate for the rights of our client."
The lawsuit, filed in the Court of Common Pleas for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, seeks damages for the suffering endured by Prim and her family as a result of the incident. It alleges negligence on the part of both Folly Beach and SCDOT, citing failures in roadway design, maintenance, and pedestrian safety measures.
You can learn more about the case here.
