Lexington, SC 01/06/2025 (Paul Kirby) – According to Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard, a man with repeat DUI convictions has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for Felony DUI Involving a Death for his part in a collision that killed an infant in 2023. Charles Wesley Varn, 66, of Lexington County was sentenced recently to the prison term after he caused a crash that killed 8-week-old Gabriel Arroyo on Edmund Highway near its intersection with Bush Berry Road just east of Pelion. Varn entered a guilty plea in Judge Roger M. Young, Sr. court. Young imposed the maximum sentence on Varn.
According to details of the investigation led by the SC Highway Patrol, at approximately 9:18 p.m. on Sunday, August 13, 2023, Varn was driving a 2017 Toyota Tacoma that slammed into the back of a 2007 Saturn Vue causing the Saturn to overturn. Young Gabriel Arroyo, who was in an infant car seat in the rear of the Saturn, died from injuries sustained during the collision. Varn initially denied he was drinking, but later admitted to consuming alcohol. Troopers that investigated the collision that day determined that Varn was under the influence at the time of the crash. Troopers also located an open container of alcohol in Varn’s vehicle.
Several hours after the collision, troopers obtained a sample of the Defendant’s blood after obtaining a search warrant. The SLED forensic lab analyzed Varn’s blood and found quantities of prescription drugs in his system. Varn’s blood alcohol content was 0.194, more than double the legal level of .08 for impairment in South Carolina.
The case was investigated by S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Clifton Nelson and the Highway Patrol’s Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT). The MAIT team was able to determine that Varn was travelling approximately 100 miles per hour at the time of the collision. The posted speed limit in the area where the collision occurred was 55 miles per hour.
During the sentencing hearing, Gabriella Lopez, Gabriel’s mother, told the Court that August 13th is now a “day that almost seems haunted”. She said she now suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that the Defendant’s actions have resulted in a “lifetime of grief” for she and her husband. Gabriel was their only child. Camilo Arroyo, Gabriel’s father, relayed to the Court that his “heart is shattered” and that he does not want anyone to experience what his family has suffered due to the Defendant’s actions.
Varn has an extensive criminal history, with convictions for Assault on a Police Officer, Pointing and Presenting a Firearm, Arson, and numerous other offenses. His criminal record dates to 1978. Varn had 6 prior DUI convictions at the time of this offense. Those convictions began in 1986 and continued with other DUIs in 1990, 1995, 2000, 2002, and 2022.
Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Young stated that there was no sentence that could dissuade Varn from drinking and driving, telling Varn “I don’t know what will stop you”.
The case was prosecuted by 11th Circuit Senior Assistant Solicitor Todd Wagoner and Assistant Solicitor Bruce Norton. Following the sentence, Wagoner stated: “While we appreciate that Mr. Varn ultimately accepted responsibility in this case, our hope is that people will choose to be responsible before they get behind the wheel of an automobile by ensuring that they have a safe and sober driver. If Charles Varn had made a responsible decision on August 13, 2023, Gabriella Lopez and Camilo Arroyo would have never had to bury their precious son, Gabriel”.
Felony DUI involving Death is classified as a no-parole offense. Varn has been transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin service of the sentence.
