The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office has announced charges against a 17-year-old in connection to a vehicle crash that claimed two lives. Sheriff Leroy Ravenell reports that the crash that killed two teens this week has been determined to be criminal.

Ravenell said that the department received information that promoted it to take a closer look. As a result of a joint investigation with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, authorities determined that the case warranted criminal charges.

17-year-old Elijah Hickson is charged with two counts of Manslaughter. Sheriff Ravenell reports that an 18-year-old female and a 17-year-old male were killed when their vehicle struck a tree after leaving the roadway.

Hickson, who is from Calhoun County, will face up to 30 years on each count of manslaughter if convicted.