DUI charges dropped against North Myrtle Beach Police sergeant. Here’s why
Charges against a North Myrtle Beach Police sergeant for driving under the influence have been dismissed.
However, a lawsuit against the officer, who was off duty at the time, related to the accident is still pending.
Sgt. Chris King was arrested by Surfside Beach Police on Sept. 7, 2023, and charged with DUI and hit and run.
The charges against King were dismissed earlier this week, according to court records.
Surfside Beach Police Chief Kenny Davis said he would prefer if Horry County Solicitor Jimmy Richardson would provide information as to why the case was dismissed.
Davis said he believes there was some concern about witnesses and possible conviction.
“We’re disappointed, but we support the solicitor,” Davis said.
Richardson said by text Wednesday that that his office was preparing for trial and witnesses essential to the case “could not verify who was driving.”
King was placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the case. King had been with the department for eight years at the time of the accident and was a traffic division supervisor, according to a previous statement from North Myrtle Beach spokesperson Officer Pat Wilkinson.
It is unclear if he has been reinstated to his position. A message left with North Myrtle Beach officials was not immediately returned.
King is facing a lawsuit from the accident that was filed on March 25, 2025, by Magellan Senior.
The suit claims that King and Brittany Rumola, who owned the vehicle, was traveling northbound on Highway 17 near Surfside Beach in a 2017 Jeep. King was allegedly driving intoxicated and attempted to make a left turn onto Highway 17 by improperly using a U-turn lane, the suit said.
King struck Senior’s vehicle with such force that the Jeep flipped upside down, causing Senior to receive serious bodily injuries.
Senior is seeking a jury trial.
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
