Paramedic killed in crash; driver accused of felony DUI
Niki Knotts died in crash. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Donna J. Barnhill faces charges. PHOTO COURTESY DCDC
By Bobby Bryant, Editor
A Timmonsville woman has been charged with felony DUI in a Nov. 27 crash that killed a passenger in her vehicle, a paramedic with Darlington County EMS. Donna Jean Barnhill has been charged with felony DUI resulting in death and felony DUI resulting in bodily injury in the crash that killed EMT Robin Nicole “Niki” Knotts, 41, of Lamar, and injured another passenger, Darlington County jail records show. The S.C. Highway Patrol said a 2008 GMC SUV carrying three people ran off South Sansbury Road in Darlington County about 9 p.m. on that Saturday night and hit a tree. No one was wearing a seat belt, the patrol said. Knotts was a passenger in the front seat, the patrol said. The driver and a passenger in the back seat were taken to an area hospital for treatment. Barnhill reportedly turned herself in Dec. 1, was booked into the county jail, and soon posted $50,000 bond and was released. Knotts was a familiar figure with Darlington County EMS, said agency director Kenny Bowen. According to Knotts’ obituary, she worked as an EMT in Darlington and Timmonsville and volunteered with the Lamar Rescue Squad and Darlington County Fire District.
