Advertisement Officer filed false report in coach’s DUI wreck that killed 3 people, SLED says Gene David Frank charged with misconduct; resigned last year Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A police officer who was involved in the investigation into a crash in November 2014 that killed three people and injured three others has been charged with misconduct in office, according to a release from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.The release said Gene David Frank, who was a police officer for the city of Anderson, is charged with public official misconduct in office. Frank made a false written report in the investigation and arrest of Riley McDermott, according to the arrest warrant. When WYFF News 4 asked for more specifics about what the false information was SLED officials and police would not elaborate. Tony Tilly, with the Anderson Police Department, said Frank resigned from the force last year. Frank's bond was set at $1,000. He was released within a few hours.Riley McDermott, 25, who was an assistant coach of the Anderson University baseball team, was charged with three felony charges in connection with the Nov. 8, 2014 crash that killed Amber Hope Perkins, 17, Jessica Roberts, 20, and Cory Simmonds, 22. Jessica Roberts' 17-year-old sister, Samantha, was hurt in the crash, and Amber’s sister, Cheyenne Queen, was seriously injured in the wreck and is continuing to undergo extensive treatment and rehabilitation. (More)McDermott’s passenger, who was also a coach at the college, was also injured in the crash.Investigators said McDermott’s blood alcohol level was .289 when he crashed, more than three times the legal limit.McDermott was driving more than 73 mph when he ran into the other vehicle, according to investigators, and his drunken condition prevented him from taking evasive action to avoid the collision.Anderson Police Chief Jim Stewart said the falsified report was discovered by the solicitor’s office, and the information was turned over to SLED."I feel confident that the solicitor's office will still successfully prosecute the case against Riley McDermott,” Stewart said. “This is not going to affect that case."A lawsuit filed on behalf of Amber’s mother, Vera Beth Perkins, lists damages as medical expenses, mental shock and suffering, wounded feelings, grief and sorrow, loss of companionship and funeral and burial expenses, and seeks more than $10 million in damages. The lawsuit filed also names McDermott, Hooters of Anderson LLC, The Bench Sports Bar and its owner, Jonathan Angeli, as defendants. (More)