Charges will be filed against the two officers involved in the September 2018 drowning deaths of two mental health patients.
Nicolette Green and Wendy Newton were killed when the Horry County sheriff’s van they were in, became submerged in floodwaters that rose on Highway 76 in Marion County after Hurricane Florence.
Green and Newton were being moved from two different facilities, to McLeod Behavioral Health in Darlington at the time. The van was then overtaken by water and the women died. The two officers said they tried unsuccessfully to rescue the women.
12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements says his office is gathering warrants now for fired officers Stephen Flood and Joshua Bishop. Clements tells News13 the van driver, Flood, will be charged with reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter. The passenger, Joshua Bishop, will be charged with involuntary manslaughter. The two are expected to turn themselves in Friday, according to Clements.
Count on News13 to bring you updates from a bond hearing, set for Friday morning, related to the case.
In September of 2018, Brooke Holden with the HCSO said the transport van was waved past barricades by National Guardsmen the night of the drownings.
The South Carolina National Guard responded the next day.
In October, the officers were fired. Weeks later, News13 obtained disciplinary reports for the officers.
News13 spoke with the sister of Nicolette Green weeks after her drowning. Donnela Green-Johnson asked for reform for mental health illness policies and procedures.
In November, she was joined by others in asking for change in how mentally ill people should be handled and transported.
Count on News13 for updates on this story.
