Bond denied for driver in DUI crash that killed infant

RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WIS) - Bond was denied for the 24-year-old man accused of DUI after being involved in a car accident that killed his girlfriend's 15-month-old child late Tuesday night.

Justin Johnson was in court Wednesday afternoon to face DUI, child endangerment, and simple possession of marijuana charges.

Johnson also faced the family of Mason Nikolai Nalls, the child who was killed in the accident. Nalls' aunt told the judge that the family holds Johnson fully responsible for what happened late Tuesday night.

She also added she hopes Johnson rots in jail for the rest of his life.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol says Johnson was driving west on Parklane Boulevard when his 2007 Mitsubishi ran off the right side of the roadway and hit several trees near Clearwater Road.

An autopsy conducted Wednesday morning shows Nalls died from trauma associated with the crash, Coroner Gary Watts said.

Watts said it appears Nalls was restrained in a car seat located in the back seat of the car, but he could not say for sure.

Nalls was transported to Palmetto Health Richland Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:36 p.m.

Johnson was also taken to Palmetto Health and authorities say he tried to flee the hospital shortly after his arrival.

Nalls' mother, who had left the boy with Johnson while she was at work, was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash, Watts said.

Johnson is being held without bond at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

The crash remains under investigation.

Copyright 2013 WIS. All rights reserved.