Troopers: Teen Killed After Refusing To Ride With Drunk Driver
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Woman Killed After Refusing Ride With Drunk Driver...
Troopers say a young woman was hit and killed after refusing to ride with a man who had been drinking.
Authorities say the young woman who killed near Greer refused a ride with a drunk driver moments before the accident. But the victim’s sister who witnessed the accident tells a different story.
Viktoriya Melnik, 19, was hit by a passing truck on Highway 357 around 1:30am Sunday. Lance Corporal Kathy Hiles of the Highway Patrol says Melnik had just left a Halloween party and refused to ride with a friend who had been drinking, instead choosing to walk home. Investigators say she was in the roadway when a truck hit her. The driver of the truck was not charged with anything because investigators say he was not speeding and could not avoid hitting Melnik.
Melnik’s sister, Irena Melnik, tells a different story. She says Viktoriya got in the car, but then decided to get out because she and Irena and a friend got into an argument.
“She hated drama,“ said Irena Melnik. “Whenever people start fighting, she just walks out of the room. So when she got out of the car, I thought she would cool off and come back.“
She says she watched as her younger sister walked along the side of the road.
“She was not in the road, she was on the side of it,“ said Irena Melnik during an interview outside her father’s Inman home.
She says she watched in horror as the truck came along and hit her sister. She says it’s hard to believe the vehicle was not speeding because the speed limit is only 25 miles an hour on that stretch of Highway 357.
“I just heard a big sound, I got out of the car, it was raining, it was pouring rain and I was trying to find her,“ said Irena through tears. “I was screaming, I just remember the ambulance coming, and I just couldn’t find her.“
Anatoliy Matev, 22, the driver who troopers say Melnik refused to ride with, was charged with DUI First Offense. Investigators say the driver of the truck that hit Melnik was distracted by Matev’s car parked on the opposite side of the road.
Melnik will be laid to rest on Thursday. She attended Chapman High School in 2008, but she did not graduate, according to Spartanburg District 1 officials.
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Reader Reactions
The sister crying on the news tore my heart out. I felt her pain, imaging how I would feel if it were my sister. My prayers are with her and this family.
you ppl who are critisizing and judging these people need to stop! viktoria was an awesome young lady and everyone else in the car r good ppl as well, anatoliy should not be charged with murder like some of you say he should be! he didnt make her walk an he had no intention watsoever to hurt her or any of the other girls! . . its not like she knew this was gunna happen to her! none of them knew! so stop judging them and critisizing them, you dont know these people an never will,. you all need to look at your self, none of you are better,(especiially the ones who critize and judge to much) you dont know when your day will come ! or how you will die! i dont think you would want ppl talkin about you like this,. so stop! and get it through your head! . .
Vicki will be dearly missed by her friends and family:‘( .. Rest in peace,.
Lisa102366 - i am soo sorry to hear about your son:( my heart goes out to you and your family, i hope you are doing better,.
that girl in the white shirt is my sister. she was there during the accident and how irina said the story that the news said is twisted. viktoria, irina, nd julie (my sister) got into an argument so viktoria didnt want to get into the car with them so she decided to talk a walk on the side of the road. irina, julie, and toliy got into the car to follow her but then they saw a truck come and they heard a bang. so they got out and started yelling vicky’s name and started looking for her. she feel into a big ditch and it was raining and it was the middle if the night so they couldnt find her…
From the reports I heard, it was raining, she was in the road - edge of the road - the driver who hit her was having to deal with the DUI person’s car being close by - and I guess his lights being in his eyes….NO ONE knows except who was there that night. I feel so bad for her family, no one should go thru the loss of a daughter,sister,niece, mother, etc…. But if an investigation was done and wih it bein 1:30am pouring rain - and an unavoidable accident - then he should not be charged…..have they said if the girl had been drinking or not? I know it said she had been at the party.
First off, I would like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of Viktoriya. The tragedy is that a precious life is lost. Please know that I share your pain. In July, my 22 year old son was a pedestrian and was struck by truck and killed. There was also a 25 mph sign where my son was killed. The M.A.I.T. team has investigated and determined the driver of the truck to have been going at least 38 mph but they refuse to charge the driver with speeding. My son was both drug and alcohol free. The driver wasn’t tested. I would really like to talk to you. If you can contact me through email at lisa_ann22002@yahoo.com. Again, I am so sorry for your loss. You are not alone.
Ok first of all I’ve known [Anatoliy] for a very very long time. I’ve been around him & in his presence for 3 years or more now. & toliy would never ever try to hurt anybody like that.. & if he did it wouldnt be on purpose. I dont really understand why people are saying he should be charged with murder it wasn’t his fault she said she wanted to walk him that was her decison. She was 19 years old she can make he own choices she is a adult in the state of sc. He choose to drive intoxicated which wasn’t a good choice but she also choose to walk home. If its anybodys fault it should be the man who was driving the truck and not paying attention to the road he was paying attention to other things while driving!
To Early Grace: You read one thing on the blog you hear another on the news…yeah right READING COMPREHENSION 101??? I hope you did not mean to be as negative as your statement was….I have had a great education in reading comprehension thank you. Maybe you need more education in ETHICS to show some consideration to someone when they admit they were wrong. I am always willing to admit when I am wrong. People who are so quick to put others down are usually people who have a poor self image themselves and they think by putting others down it makes them look better. I hope you are not like that normally.
I would hate for some of you that comment to be on a jury. Facts are facts, it was an accident plain and simple. She made a very bad choice to walk in the road. It was raining which cuts visibiliy. If she was intoxicated that would explain her not reacting to traffic.
I use to work with Irena, we worked together for a while. And since I left there, I have not seen Irena. When I seen her on the news crying i fell apart.I can’t believe she seen that happen. I can’t believe this has happened to her and her family. My heart goes out to her and her family. I love u girl and i miss u! I’m so sorry….
wat drinking can do to you:(
RIP Vikki:(
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