Report released in Seneca New Year’s Day deaths

The South Carolina Highway Patrol says a Seneca woman whose two children were killed in a New Year’s Day crash had a blood-alcohol level that was twice the legal limit at the time of the accident. The Highway Patrol also said Melissa Patton was driving at 87 mph, which is 32 mph over the posted speed limit. The report also said her blood alcohol level was .195, more than double what is allowed. According to the patrol’s report, Patton’s two daughters died when the SUV ran off the road, crashed into a church sign and flipped over. The girls were trapped in the SUV and had to be removed by paramedics. Patton is charged with two counts of felony driving under the influence and driving under suspension.