North Charleston, SC : Assistant public defender dies after car crash in North Charleston on Tuesday afternoon, September 23, 2014

North Charleston police are investigating a two-car wreck Tuesday afternoon that led to the death of Andrew Grimes, a well-respected assistant public defender. Public Defender Ashley Pennington said his office was in mourning Wednesday, with lawyers throughout the region reeling from the news. Grimes, 44, of North Charleston, had worked in the Public Defender's Office for more than seven years, and was known as a dedicated, compassionate attorney who went the distance for his clients, he said. "He was beloved by court staff, prosecutors, his clients and, of course, our office," Pennington said. "He will be sorely missed." Grimes was either going to or coming from the Charleston County jail to see clients when the Toyota Camry he was driving collided with a Honda Accord around 2:30 p.m. along Dorchester Road, just before Cross County Road, authorities said. According to witnesses, both vehicles were traveling east on Dorchester when the Toyota made an abrupt lane change, striking the Honda, North Charleston police spokesman Spencer Pryor said. The Camry then continued across both westbound lanes of Dorchester Road before striking a small tree on the side of the road, he said. The collision remains under investigation, Pryor said. The driver of the Honda was not injured. Grimes was responsive at the scene, but died later at an area hospital, Pennington said. Prior health problems contributed to doctors being unable to save him, he said. Grimes had been hospitalized over the weekend in connection with an ongoing health issue and had felt too ill to accompany his colleagues to an annual public defenders conference in Myrtle Beach this week, Pennington said. Grimes told coworkers he would spend Monday recuperating and then resume his visits with clients on Tuesday. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Grimes joined the bar in 1995. Grimes also had worked as a defense lawyer in Colleton County and served as chief municipal judge for the city of Hanahan. He is survived by his fiancee, his parents and a younger brother, Pennington said. Source : Assistant public defender dies after car crash in North Charleston