Audrey Maris Ross,Amanda Lynn Leroux Obituary, Death; – The Greenville County Coroner’s Office has officially disclosed the identities of the four individuals who tragically lost their lives in a collision on New Year’s Eve.
The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. on Tuesday along Cooley Bridge Road, in proximity to Pearson Road, as reported by officials. Shelton England from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office indicated that the crash involved two vehicles, with all four victims traveling in the same vehicle.
On Wednesday morning, England identified two of the deceased as Audrey Maris Ross, 29, from Donalds, and Amanda Lynn Leroux, also known as Zelena Ophelia Moon, 30, from North Carolina. By Friday evening, the remaining two victims were identified as Jade Evelyn Bruton, 27, from Greenville, and Joshua Allen Ward, 37, also from North Carolina.
The coroner reported that Bruton and Leroux succumbed to multiple blunt force injuries, while Ross suffered blunt force trauma to the chest.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol stated that a 2017 Subaru SUV was reversing from a private driveway onto Cooley Bridge Road when it was struck by a 2012 BMW sedan traveling south. The impact caused the BMW to veer off the road and collide with a tree, resulting in the fatalities of all four occupants in the Subaru. Authorities noted that speed and alcohol were contributing factors in the incident.
Nicholas Shane Meeks, the driver of the BMW, has been charged with four counts of felony DUI resulting in death. He has been denied bond for these charges and has been issued a $653 bond for operating a vehicle with a suspended license.
Officials re
vealed that Meeks had previously been convicted of DUI in March 2024. Witnesses reported observing a significant explosion at 9:14 p.m. Many neighbors rushed to the scene in an attempt to assist, but unfortunately, their efforts were in vain.
On Wednesday, a family friend of one of the victims addressed a judge, stating, “Audrey’s mother has a deep love for the Lord God and will forgive him and pray for him,” referring to Nicholas Shane Meeks. “However, his actions must have consequences.” Meeks is scheduled to appear before a circuit judge at a future date.
