Softball News: Driver Charged Thursday with DUI in Car Accident That Killed Two USC Union Players; Injured Players Give Emotional Statements Friday in Court

On Thursday, the man who was driving the car that crossed the center line and struck a car carrying four USC Union softball players on February 7, killing two and injured two others, was formally charged on Thursday with driving under the influence (DUI).

Troopers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol said Yuriy Karpik (23) was charged with two counts of felony DUI involving death, felony DUI with great bodily injury and having an open container.

During a court hearing on Friday, Karpik admitted he had an open wine bottle in his car and had been drinking before the accident that took the lives of Lady Bantam players Mia Stokes (18) and Grace Revels (20).

Mia’s twin sister, Mallory Stokes, suffered injuries to her arm which needed surgery, and Devyn Royce, who was driving the car that was struck by Karpik’s vehicle and is the daughter of USC Union softball head coach William Royce, suffered a serious concussion and wrist injury.

Click HERE to read how USC Union is raising funds for a scoreboard honoring Grace Revels and Mia Stoke

Mallory and Devyn spoke at the hearing and, in emotional statements, asked that the judge not to grant a bond for Karpik.

As reported by Dal Kalsi of FOX Carolina: “Mallory told the court Mia was not only her twin, but also her best friend, and she did not know how she would live without her.

“Half of my soul was tragically taken from us. She died a horrific death that she did not deserve,” Mallory Stokes said in court. “Unlike him (Karpik), Mia always chose to follow the rules. She respected authority and she respected the law.”

“I have absolutely no idea how to live without Mia,” she continued. “He stole the other part of me that night and didn’t have to … He has made a horrible, horrible choice and deserves to face a horrible, horrible consequence.”

Devyn Royce also asked the judge to keep Karpik behind bars and the judge stated that a circuit court judge will make the decision in the future about granting a bond.

Here is the FOX Carolina video report:

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WSPA 7News also reported on the court hearing and filed this segment: