Savannah, GA : Fatal Bluffton wreck on April, Friday 14th 2017

A man has been arrested on felony DUI charges following a fatal accident on April 14.

Nikolai K. Wheeler, 27, has been charged with felony DUI resulting in death, felony DUI great bodily injury, leaving the scene resulting in death, leaving the scene resulting in great bodily injury and driving with a suspended license.

Bluffton Police report that the three-vehicle accident happened just after 5 pm. on May River Road when a vehicle driven by Wheeler hit another vehicle, driven by 34-year-old Cullen Mieczkowski, from behind. Both vehicles were headed east.

Mieczkowski’s vehicle was then forced into oncoming traffic seriously injuring a a driver traveling west on May River Road, police said. The drive of the vehicle hit by Mieczkowski has been released from the hospital.

Wheeler ran from the scene police minutes following the wreck.

Wheeler was later located and arrested.

“Police smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Wheeler when he was taken into custody,” said Joy Nelson, police department spokesperson.

Wheeler was taken to the hospital where his blood-alcohol content was .256%, more than double the legal limit, Nelson said. The legal limit is .08%.

Wheeler was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center.

He was denied bond on all charges.

The accident remains under investigation. If anyone in the public that witnessed the accident or has additional information that would help investigators, please call Sgt. Laura Rutland at 843-706-4598 or the Bluffton Police Investigations Division at 843-706-4560.

Source :
Man charged in fatal Bluffton wreck