Case against 2 men accused in deadly Morrison Drive hit-and-run will head to trial

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A preliminary hearing was held Wednesday for two men accused in a double hit-and-run that left two women dead earlier this year.

Seth Carlson and Max Gentilin were driving – separately – on Morrison Drive when authorities say they struck Lizzy Zito and Arianna Gamber as they walked along the roadway. Both men left the scene.

A preliminary hearing was held on Wednesday. And why typically defendants are not required to appear, family of the victims were inside the Charleston County courtroom as testimony was given and probable cause was established in the case.

The judge decided probable cause existed to support charges against the two men, and the case was bound for trial, meaning it would move forward for prosecution.

The defendants’ motions to dismiss the charges for lack of probable cause were denied.

“I want to rage, and I want to point fingers – but I’m just going to have to trust in this process, which is challenging. I would love for there to be more evidence and more charges, and more people to come forward, but I’m just going to be grateful. We got through today and the charges have been bound over and there’s no dismissals in these proceedings yet,” said Nicole Gamber, Arianna’s mother.

“It’s going to be a long war. Today is just a battle. The motions were denied, which with everything that’s going on with the case, it should, and it did. So, we’re grateful for that. It’s going to be a long journey for us,” added Frank Zito, Lizzy’s father.

Parents of the two 20-year-old women said being in court for these cases is important as they seek justice. “…keeping the memory of these girls and why we are here is important. The outcome of this is important,” said Zito.

Carlson is believed to have struck the victims first. He is charged with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Gentilin struck the girls later that morning. He is charged with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident causing death. Both men are out on bond.