Marshall Brandon McFarland, a 37 year old Lexington County man, pled guilty yesterday to Felony Driving Under the Influence, Death Results. McFarland was sentenced to seven (7) years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections by Circuit Court Judge Eugene C. Griffith, Jr. This is classified under State law as a “no parole” offense.

Assistant Solicitor Todd Wagoner prosecuted this case for the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office. During sentencing, Assistant Solicitor Wagoner, on behalf of law enforcement, told the Judge that “these are the most preventable of tragedies.”

Over Labor Day weekend on September 2, 2017, Wyatt Duval, age 21, of Lugoff, was traveling as a passenger in an Acura driven by McFarland on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 in Lexington County. The traffic fatality occurred when McFarland attempted to unlawfully pass another vehicle near the 60 mile marker in a construction zone. He lost control of the vehicle causing it to overturn several times. Wyatt was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the scene and conducted the investigation of this case. Officers obtained a blood sample from McFarland pursuant to a search warrant, which revealed that he was under the influence of methamphetamine and his blood alcohol content was a .091. The legal limit is a .08 in South Carolina.  

Wyatt’s mother addressed the Judge during sentencing stating that she cannot “bring [her] son back, however there must be some justice for innocent victims who cannot speak for themselves.”