17-Year-Old Charged After Hwy 544 Hit-And-Run Leaves 2 People Hurt

The vehicle and driver, Mauricio Palofax-Correa, were located outside city limits after the vehicle was involved in a separate crash.

A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection to a hit-and-run.

Shortly after midnight Sunday, police responded to the area of Highway 544 and Elvington Loop in Conway. Two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. Both were taken to a hospital to be treated for critical injuries and remain hospitalized.

The vehicle and driver, Mauricio Palofax-Correa, were located outside city limits after the vehicle was involved in a separate crash. He has been charged with two counts of DUI and two counts of hit-and-run with great bodily injury.

The two pedestrians were identified as students of Coastal Carolina University. Multiple incidents have occurred along the highway. The college said it is working with it’s Department of Public Safety, university leadership, and local and state agencies to expand those efforts and identify additional opportunities relative to student safety along Highway 544.