Man could face almost 100 years in prison for fatal Grissom crash

Bond was denied Friday for the man police say is responsible for the May 4 fatal wreck on Robert Gissom Parkway.

Garth Treadwell faces what's equivalent to a life sentence in connection to the crash that killed three people. When Myrtle Beach Municipal Court Judge Clifford Welsh made his decision, friends and family of the victims hugged and one said, "Thank you, God."

Treadwell faces six charges, including three counts of felony DUI resulting in death, one count of felony DUI resulting in great bodily harm, hit and run attended vehicle, and transporting alcohol in a motor vehicle with the seal broken. He appeared via video, while sitting in a wheelchair, for his hearing.

Treadwell spent almost two weeks in the hospital following the wreck.

Assistant Solicitor Chris Helms said Treadwell faces more than 90 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Nicolas Norris, 25, of Myrtle Beach; Kristie Drewes, 24, of Conway; and Gulnoza Tashmatova, of Myrtle Beach, died in the crash. A 4-year-old also was injured in the wreck.

Police found a half-consumed liquor bottle in Treadwell's car, which Welsh compared to finding a smoking gun at a murder scene.

Helms said Treadwell was fleeing another wreck on Pine Island Road, ran a stop sign and caused the crash on Grissom Parkway and Executive Drive.

Emergency crews had to remove Treadwell from his vehicle and took him to the hospital for treatment. The state has a warrant for his medical records to determine Treadwell's blood alcohol content, Helms said.

Treadwell, 52, has a lengthy criminal history that began when he was 17, Helms said. He has convictions for escape, weapon charges and failing to stop for blue lights.

"He certainly posses a flight risk and a danger to the community," Helms said.

In denying bond, Welsh made note of Treadwell's history and said he'd rather "err on the side of caution."

Lowary Patton spoke during the hearing and said he knew Norris and his girlfriend Drews, and pleaded for Treadwell to remain behind bars.

"I don't want to see this gentleman out of jail; I want him to stay there until he's rightly convicted," Patton said.

Defense attorney Bert Von Herrmann said many facts about the case are still unknown and asked for a reasonable bond. He said Treadwell's injuries make it difficult for him to flee and while on bond he can receive medical treatment.

"(This) doesn't seem like a no-bond case," Von Herrmann said.

This story was originally published May 18, 2018 at 9:51 AM with the headline "Man could face almost 100 years in prison for fatal Grissom crash."