Judge Sets Bond for Man Charged in Crash That Killed South Carolina State Trooper
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A Hanahan man accused of causing the crash that killed South Carolina State Trooper Dennis Ricks appeared virtually in court Friday, where a judge set bond at $225,000 cash surety.
The defendant, 45-year-old Anthony Aydlette, is charged with reckless homicide after allegedly striking Trooper Ricks with a box truck on Interstate 26 earlier this month.
Crash Details and Charges
Officials say Trooper Ricks had just completed a traffic stop on Aug. 10 when Aydlette veered into him on the interstate. Ricks was transported to a hospital but died three days later from his injuries.
Aydlette was initially charged with driving under suspension, but prosecutors elevated the charges following further investigation. Sheriff Leroy Ravenell pointed to Aydlette’s decade-long history of suspensions, crashes, and traffic violations, calling it a dangerous pattern of behavior.
Ravenell also stated that Aydlette did not rent the box truck he was driving, but instead obtained access through a family member.
Bond Hearing Testimony
During Friday’s hearing, Trooper Ricks’s widow, Jade Ricks, spoke about the devastating loss of her husband, who was remembered as a dedicated officer and family man.
Aydlette, appearing virtually, kept his head down and covered his face with his hands throughout much of the hearing.
Sheriff Ravenell also challenged Aydlette’s earlier statements to law enforcement, calling them “blatant lies.” He noted that contrary to Aydlette’s claims, Ricks was not standing in the highway at the time of the crash and was wearing his reflective vest.
Next Steps in the Case
The court ordered that if Aydlette posts bail, he must remain in South Carolina and have no contact with the Ricks family. For now, he remains in custody at the Orangeburg County Jail.
The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the crash.
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