Oconee convenience store named in wrongful death claims

The legal provision called the South Carolina Long-Arm Statute is in play in civil lawsuits filed yesterday in Oconee County, arising from a Pickens County car accident three years ago. That accident, on  Old Cherry Road , left the driver dead along with two passengers.  The damage lawsuits were filed for representatives of the deceased.  Among the four named defendants is an Oconee convenience store, the Marathon at 1698 Wells Highway, that is being accused of selling alcoholic beverages to the driver, Divonte Black, described as under the age of 21 when, it’s alleged, he consumed alcohol illegally sold to him by the defendants.  As the result of the accident around 1:30 am on August 30, 2020, the driver died and passengers Lenae Ridge and Triniti Martin suffered injuries that led to their deaths, according to the court filings.  The wrongful death claim for Anthony Black, father of Divonte, says, “During the course of the investigation by law enforcement, it was determined that Divonte Black was operating his motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.”