South Carolina Deputy Drowning: Army Corps Of Engineers Worker Charged

ANDERSON, SC — A worker with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was charged in the death of a South Carolina sheriff's deputy who was thrown from a boat during a training accident.

Joseph Jess Fleming, 37, of Pendleton, was charged with reckless homicide by boat, news outlets reported.

The state Department of Natural Resources charged Fleming late last week in the June 1 death of Anderson County Sheriff's Deputy Devin Hodges. Robert McCullough with the state agency said Fleming is a ranger at Lake Hartwell and was operating the boat Hodges, 30, was thrown from during the exercise. (For more information on this and other Across South Carolina stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The coroner said Hodges' drowned because his life jacket became entangled in the boat propeller when he was fell from the boat.

It was not known if Fleming has an attorney.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Friday evening that they're mourning Hodges and their thoughts and prayers are "with his family and all those involved in this tragic accident," WSPA-TV reported.

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