Charges Updated In Hwy 544 Hit-And-Run That Turned Fatal

Mauricio Palafox-Correa has now been charged with hit-and-run resulting in death and DUI resulting in death in addition to other charges.

Following the death of a Coastal Carolina University student, charges have been upgraded in a hit-and-run investigation.

On Aug. 16, 17-year-old Mauricio Palafox-Correa struck two pedestrians that were crossing Highway 544 near Elvington Loop around midnight. He fled the scene but was later arrested following a separate crash involving another vehicle.

The pedestrians were identified as CCU students. On Saturday, 21-year-old Kalina Trent of New Jersey succumbed to the injuries she sustained. The condition of the second victim is unknown.

Palafox-Correa was initially charged with two counts of DUI and two counts of hit-and-run resulting in great bodily injury. He has now been charged with hit-and-run resulting in death and DUI resulting in death in addition to the previous charges.

Palafox-Correa has been denied bond. The investigation remains underway. The crash has renewed questions regarding pedestrian safety in the area.