Former Charleston County deputy in court for manslaughter

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – A former Charleston County Sheriff's deputy is on trial this week for involuntary manslaughter after a man was killed in a 2020 car crash.

Former Deputy Jason Barry is charged with negligent homicide after his patrol car collided with an SUV in West Ashley in May 2020, killing the other driver, Ronald Jenkins.

The Charleston County Sheriff's Office fired Barry about a month after the collision, and the state Highway Patrol charged and arrested him the same day.

Jenkins' family later sued the former deputy. Since he was on duty at the time and was driving a Charleston County Sheriff's Office patrol car, the Sheriff's Office settled the case with him and the state's Insurance Reserve Fund paid the family the money.

Barry was driving down the road when Jenkins turned left and crossed the road.

Barry's patrol car struck the SUV head-on, causing it to roll over and crush the front of the patrol car. Barry called 911 and told dispatch that a car had turned in front of him and he had struck it head-on.

The prosecution argues that Barry's high speed of nearly 70 in a 45 mph zone was reckless, caused the accident and cost Jenkins his life.

Prosecutor Timothy Finch first had the first responders present their statements and then presented the jury with photos from the accident scene itself.

Photos show the front of the patrol car crushed and Jenkins' SUV tipped onto its side. First responders said firefighters had to cut open the roof of the car to get the victim out, and Jenkins showed no obvious signs of life at the scene.

In their opening statement, the defense argued that Jenkins was at fault for turning into oncoming traffic. Attorney Brian Alfaro said that while Barry was not above the law and should not have been speeding, it was Jenkins who turned into the road, created an obstruction and caused the accident.

Since there were no direct witnesses to the accident, testimony will be based on reports from first responders, investigators and coroners, as well as photos and surveillance videos from the area.

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