2 killed, 2 injured in Lake Greenwood boat crash

• Driver of boat charged with Felony BUI

Allen Benware

Two people are dead and two others were taken to an area hospital with injuries suffered in a boating collision on Lake Greenwood overnight Sunday.

The deceased and injured were among five people in an Alumacraft vessel, which was struck in the rear by a Yamaha boat around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The Laurens County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Thomas Chandler Davis and Abby Katherine Davis, both of Laurens. Autopsies have been scheduled for Monday to determine the causes of death.

Allen Sidney Benware, 37, the operator of the Yamaha boat has been charged with two counts of felony boating under the influence. The driver was one of two persons aboard the Yamaha. Benware is being held in the Johnson Detention Center without bond.

SCDNR officials said Benware was operating without running lights when he struck the Alumacraft jon boat. SCDNR officers on the water witnessed the collision and were readying to stop the Yamaha when it struck the Alumacraft.

The crash occurred near Harris Landing and Sandshore Drive.

Laurens County Coroner Patti Canupp said autopsies on the victims are scheduled for Monday, and she expects to release their identities later Sunday.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.