COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina lawmakers want answers after two mental health patients drowned when sheriff's deputies drove into floodwaters.
[READ MORE: Women die in flooded van driven by South Carolina deputies]
Authorities say Wendy Newton and Nicolette Green were under court orders to be taken to a mental health facility when the deputies drove around a barricade closing a road where floodwaters were rapidly rising after Hurricane Florence in September.
(Nicolette Green)
[RELATED: NC man dies from bacteria infection during Florence aftermath clean-up]
Investigators say Stephen Flood and Joshua Bishop tried to get the women out of the sheriff's van, but couldn't. They were rescued from the top of the van.
[RELATED: 'Imminent dangers' force suspension of Marshville mental health facility]
The deputies were fired last month. State Criminal Justice Academy records say Flood made a conscious decision to drive around the barricade and Bishop didn't try to stop him.
A criminal investigation is ongoing.
A Senate subcommittee will discuss the deaths at 10 a.m. Thursday.
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