Former “Southern Charm” cast member Kathryn Dennis is facing new legal challenges following a May 2024 car crash that resulted in her arrest for driving under the influence. The 34-year-old reality television personality was recently sentenced to 30 days in jail in Berkeley County, South Carolina, and is now the subject of a civil lawsuit stemming from the same incident.
According to police reports and court filings, the collision occurred on the evening of May 20 along Highway 52 in Goose Creek. Investigators say Dennis was driving a 2018 GMC pickup truck when she struck another vehicle, which then collided with a third car, driven by Larry Patrick Griffin. The multivehicle crash prompted firefighters to close off the intersection while emergency personnel treated those involved.
Officers at the scene reported that Dennis appeared impaired, noting an odor of alcohol and finding multiple miniature bottles of Fireball whiskey inside her vehicle — some unopened, others empty. Dennis allegedly told police she had not been drinking but later admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the day. She reportedly declined a breathalyzer test at the Berkeley County Detention Center before being taken to a local hospital for medical clearance.
Griffin, the driver of the third car, filed a lawsuit in August claiming he sustained serious physical injuries and emotional distress as a result of the crash. The complaint accuses Dennis of negligence and reckless driving, alleging that she failed to maintain control of her vehicle, did not brake in time and operated her car while under the influence. It also seeks compensation for medical expenses, property damage and punitive damages. Court documents show that State Farm, Dennis’s insurer, was later added as a co-defendant and has denied responsibility for the claims.
Dennis’s legal troubles culminated on October 3, when a judge sentenced her to 30 days in jail for first-offense DUI and transporting open alcohol in a vehicle. Records from the Hill-Finklea Detention Center indicate she was booked into custody the same day. The court also cited her refusal to submit a breath sample as a factor in her sentencing.
The May crash was not the first time a vehicle associated with Dennis had been involved in a police investigation. In October 2023, a car registered in her name was linked to an alleged hit-and-run in South Carolina, though authorities did not confirm who was driving at the time.
Dennis appeared on Bravo’s “Southern Charm” from 2014 to 2022, becoming one of the show’s most recognizable figures before stepping away from the series. Her legal issues add to a string of controversies involving former cast members from the Charleston-based reality show.
As of early October, Dennis has not publicly commented on either the lawsuit or her sentencing. The civil case remains pending in South Carolina court, where a judge will determine whether she bears liability for damages related to the collision.
Sources: ABCNews4, People, The Post and Courier
