High school senior in intensive care after serious Socastee Boulevard crash

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – A young man is in serious condition after he was involved in a crash on Socastee Boulevard that troopers said was caused by a man who was driving under the influence.

South Carolina Highway Patrol Master Trooper Brian Lee said John Louis Sangastiano was booked Friday morning into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on a charge of felony DUI with great bodily injury. At an initial Bond hearing Saturday, Sangastiano was released on a $50,000 bond.

Horry County Fire Rescue and the SCHP were called to the two-vehicle wreck on Socastee Boulevard and Luttie Road around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Lee said Sangastiano was driving a Nissan Pathfinder when he hit a Mazda 6 that was trying to make a left turn onto Luttie Road.

RELATED STORY: 2 seriously injured in crash along Socastee Boulevard, officials say

Sangastiano and the young man were taken to the hospital following the crash.

Sangastiano was released from the hospital and taken to jail, but the other person in the crash is currently in the Intensive Care Unit.

His family asked that WMBF not use his name at this time, but they did share photos and information about him.

They said he was driving home from a youth group on Wednesday night when the crash happened. He is currently in a medically-induced coma following several intense surgeries, but family and friends remain hopeful about his recovery.

He’s currently a senior at PALM Charter High School in Horry County. Some of his classmates and teachers came out to the hospital on Friday to check in on him and the family during this difficult time.

“I’m going to try and come visit every day after school,” said friend Brayden Stumm.

“One of our students is in pretty bad shape, so we’re out here to support him,” said Avery Moore, principal of PALM Charter.

Friends were shocked to learn their classmate was the one hit by a suspected DUI driver.

Moore addressed the school Thursday morning about the wreck, reminding students about the split second it takes to change a life.

“This wasn’t his fault but it is something that affects teenagers every single day,” said Moore.

PALM Charter set up a GoFundMe page to help cover medical expenses.

“I have a feeling he’s going to be coming out of this stronger than he was before,” said Stumm.

Friends and family are also invited to a prayer service at 7 p.m. Sunday at NewSpring Church at 3001 Waccamaw Blvd. in Myrtle Beach.

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