(Courtesy photo)
An investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol is underway of a former Tech football player charged with a DUI and a fatal hit-and-run on Jan. 25 in Horry County, South Carolina.
Riley Patton, 23, was driving east on Highway 544 near Cabots Creek Drive around 1 a.m. when he ran into the center median and struck a parked truck on the median and the pedestrian outside the vehicle.
A Horry County coroner identified the pedestrian as Timothy Shulkcum, 55, and officials pronounced him dead at the scene.
Highway patrol officers stopped Patton as he fled the scene to Peachtree Grocery and placed him into custody and booked at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center of North Myrtle Beach.
A Horry County judge set the bond at $200,000. Patton posted bail and was released on Jan. 28.
Patton played for Tech as a long snapper for three years. He started 30-plus games in his career and snapped every ball in varsity play in his final two seasons, according to Tennessee Tech player information.
Patton is a student at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, and was a member of the football team. Patton is no longer allowed to play.