Trucker Faces Criminal Charges After Semi-Truck Ends Up in Ocean
One might argue that the vast majority of truckers are responsible, safe drivers. However, it only takes one trucker to cause dozens of injuries and deaths. Reports of negligent, reckless, and completely out-of-control truckers have become extremely common, and it is impossible to turn a blind eye to this problem. A recent incident in South Carolina involved a trucker who somehow crashed his vehicle into the ocean. He now faces criminal charges. Aside from criminal consequences, truckers might also face civil penalties after truck accident lawsuits in South Carolina.
Police Find Semi-Truck “Fully Submerged” Near Sullivan’s Island
In late July of 2025, police found a “fully submerged” semi-truck near Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina. Needless to say, they had a few questions to ask the trucker who was behind the wheel when this semi-truck crashed into the ocean. Authorities first became aware of this situation when the trucking company reached out to them and reported one of their drivers missing. After determining that the truck was in the water, the police realized that they had already taken the driver into custody.
Because the crash involved the coastal waters, the Coast Guard also became involved. The question on everyone’s mind is obvious: How did this semi-truck end up 14 feet below the surface of the ocean? Although numerous media sources have reported on this incident, none have provided a clear answer. However, Live5News states that the trucker is now facing a litany of charges, including:
- Indecent exposure
- Dumping more than 500 pounds of litter on private property
- Property damage of more than $10,000
The charge of indecent exposure is particularly noteworthy, and it is difficult to imagine exactly what this individual was doing (or trying to do) before the crash. When one hears about a semi-truck crashing into the ocean, the immediate assumption is that the trucker must have been intoxicated. While there were no DUI charges to speak of, officers may have arrived at the scene too late to collect the necessary evidence of intoxication.
Unbelievably, a similar incident occurred in North Carolina at around the same time. In early August of 2025, CBS17 reported that authorities in Pittsboro had fished a vehicle out of the water under the US 64 bridge. The vehicle reportedly sank more than 30 feet. However, this was a personal vehicle – and not a commercial truck driven by a so-called “professional driver.”
Should I Work With a South Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer?
If you have been injured by a reckless, negligent trucker, you have every right to hold them accountable. An experienced truck accident lawyer in South Carolina may be able to guide you toward compensation and justice for everything you’ve experienced. A lawsuit could provide compensation for missed earnings, medical bills, emotional distress, and other damages. To learn more about your options, contact Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC today.
Sources:
cdllife.com/2025/driver-detained-after-south-carolina-police-find-semi-truck-fully-submerged-near-boat-dock/
live5news.com/2025/07/31/police-man-detained-linked-submerged-truck-sullivans-island-boat-ramp/
