Man Charged After Allegedly Running Over Fiancée and Her Daughter While Sledding

Richard Quinn Davidson faces felony DUI and hit-and-run charges after incident in Beaufort, South Carolina

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A 46-year-old man has been charged with felony DUI and hit-and-run after allegedly running over his fiancée and her daughter while they were sledding in Beaufort, South Carolina. The incident occurred on January 31, 2026, when witnesses say the two women were being pulled behind a vehicle on a plastic container lid before being struck by Davidson's pickup truck. The women suffered serious injuries including a fractured skull, punctured lung, and broken bones.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of reckless driving, especially in residential areas where people may be engaging in winter activities. It also raises questions about the responsibilities of drivers to be aware of their surroundings and the potential consequences of fleeing the scene of an accident.

The details

According to witness Emma Schoenstra, the two women were being pulled behind a vehicle on a plastic container lid when Davidson's 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck struck them. Schoenstra said Davidson briefly paused before reversing out of the scene. The women suffered injuries including a fractured skull, punctured lung, broken ribs, several broken vertebrae, and a dislocated shoulder. Police were able to locate Davidson at his home several hours later and arrested him on two counts of felony DUI and two counts of felony hit-and-run involving great bodily injury.

  • The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on January 31, 2026 in Beaufort, South Carolina.
  • Davidson was booked into Beaufort County Jail around 2 a.m. on February 1, 2026.

The players

Richard Quinn Davidson

A 46-year-old man who is allegedly engaged to one of the victims. He has been charged with felony DUI and felony hit-and-run.

Emma Schoenstra

A witness who saw the incident and provided details to local media.

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What they’re saying

“They were being dragged by a rope attached to a truck on a container lid just up and down the snow, having fun.”

— Emma Schoenstra, Witness (WJCL)

“I was wrapping up their hands that were laying in the snow, wrapping up their feet, they had lost their shoes. I was just wrapping all of their limbs that were touching the ice so they could stay warm until the ambulance got here.”

— Emma Schoenstra, Witness (WJCL)

“He did get back in his car and reversed out and left the scene.”

— Emma Schoenstra, Witness (WJCL)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Richard Quinn Davidson out on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safe driving, especially in residential areas where people may be engaging in winter activities. It also highlights the need for drivers to remain at the scene of an accident and cooperate with authorities.