WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | DUI suspect in students' deaths was in Cola for Army training

DUI suspect in students' deaths was in Cola for Army training

By Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield - bio | email and Logan Smith - email

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Bond has been set for the man charged with DUI in a wreck which killed two Allen University students over the weekend.

We're also learning more about the victims and the suspect in the crash.

Bond was set at $400,000 Monday for Jabari O. Harding, who is charged with felony DUI resulting in death.

Harding is from Alabama, and has been in Columbia for Army Reserve training since July. He is a staff sergeant in the reserve, and is training to be a drill instructor at Fort Jackson.

Police say the wreck happened at the corner of Gervais and Harden Streets just before 1:30am Sunday.

Police say a 2004 Dodge Ram driven by Harding collided with a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina carrying the driver and three passengers.

Two passengers died at the scene. Candice Davis, 18 of Holly Hill, and Jerry Blandin McGowan, 20 of Greenville, were both students at Allen University.

The drivers of both vehicles were taken to Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital, and both were released from the hospital Sunday. Harding was still wearng a sling on his left arm Monday in bond court. A third passenger in the Lumina, Courtney Williams, is still in the hospital.

Williams' uncle, Trevor Clinton, was helping her pay for school. He's a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

"I've given that call a number of times, but being on the other end and receiving it was tough," said Clinton. "Courtney has been a big part of my life for a long time, and to receive that call, it was one that I never thought I was going to receive"

Clinton said Williams' brain was injured in the crash, and she's in critical but stable condition. He said Courtney was supposed to come home for the weekend, but changed her mind at the last minute.

Harding is currently being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

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