# S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2945: SECTION 56-5-2945. Offense of felony driving under the influence; penalties; "great bodily injury" defined > South Carolina · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2945 ## Section - **Citation:** S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2945 - **Heading:** SECTION 56-5-2945. Offense of felony driving under the influence; penalties; "great bodily injury" defined - **Jurisdiction:** South Carolina - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 56-5-2945 ## Text (A) A person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or the combination of alcohol and drugs, drives a motor vehicle and when driving a motor vehicle does any act forbidden by law or neglects any duty imposed by law in the driving of the motor vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes great bodily injury or death to another person, is guilty of the offense of felony driving under the influence, and, upon conviction, must be punished: (1) by a mandatory fine of not less than five thousand one hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than fifteen years when great bodily injury results; (2) by a mandatory fine of not less than ten thousand one hundred dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than twenty-five years when death results. A part of the mandatory sentences required to be imposed by this section must not be suspended, and probation must not be granted for any portion. (B) As used in this section, "great bodily injury" means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. (C)(1) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the driver's license of a person who is convicted pursuant to this section. For suspension purposes of this section, convictions arising out of a single incident must run concurrently. (2) After the person is released from prison, the person shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for three years when great bodily injury results and five years when a death occurs. (D) One hundred dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to this section must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol. ## Nearby sections - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2910 SECTION 56-5-2910. Reckless vehicular homicide; penalties; revocation of driver's license; reinstatement of license; conditions; consequences for subsequent violations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2910.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2920 SECTION 56-5-2920. Reckless driving; penalties; suspension of driver's license for second or subsequent offense.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2920.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930 SECTION 56-5-2930. Operating motor vehicle while under influence of alcohol or drugs; penalties; enrollment in Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program; prosecution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2930.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2933 SECTION 56-5-2933. Driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration; penalties; enrollment in Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program; prosecution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2933.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2934 SECTION 56-5-2934. Compulsory process to obtain witnesses and documents; breath testing software.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2934.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2935 SECTION 56-5-2935. Right to jury trial.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2935.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2936 SECTION 56-5-2936. Implementation of compulsory testimony requirement postponed; training of employees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2936.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2941 SECTION 56-5-2941. Ignition interlock device.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2941.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2942 SECTION 56-5-2942. Vehicle immobilization after conviction for subsequent violation of Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945; immobilized defined; identity of immobilized vehicle; surrendering of license plates and registration; release of vehicle; hearing; penalties; fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2942.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2945 SECTION 56-5-2945. Offense of felony driving under the influence; penalties; "great bodily injury" defined.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2945.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2946 SECTION 56-5-2946. Submission to testing for alcohol or drugs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2946.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2947 SECTION 56-5-2947. Child endangerment; definition; penalties; jurisdiction; evidence for taking child into protective custody.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2947.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2948 SECTION 56-5-2948. Field sobriety tests.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2948.md) - [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2949 SECTION 56-5-2949. Policies, procedures and regulations on the SLED internet website.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2949.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C5_A23_S56-5-2945. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.