Holocaust Survivor Killed By Sheriff's Car

Published: Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010

Pedestrian dies in Rock Hill crash with sheriff's deputy

By Kimberly Dick - kdick@heraldonline.com

A 74-year-old York man walking on Heckle Boulevard around 1 a.m. Sunday was killed after being hit by an on-duty York County sheriff’s deputy who was driving a patrol car, authorities said.

The deputy — who has been placed on administrative leave while authorities investigate the crash — hit the York man as he was walking in the northbound lanes of S.C. 901, near Tyson Forest Drive, said Lance Cpl. Scot Edgeworth of the S.C Highway Patrol, which is investigating the case.

The pedestrian, Anton Hornung Sr., died at the scene from blunt force trauma, said York County Coroner Sabrina Gast. The patrol car struck Hornung in the 1400 block of S.C. 901, known as Heckle Boulevard.

The deputy, identified as Clifton Conant, 26, was driving a sheriff’s office 2008 Ford Crown Victoria north on Heckle Boulevard, Edgeworth said.

Hornung was in the roadway, Edgeworth said.

Hornung's family told The Herald’s news partner, WSOC-TV, he was a Holocaust survivor who was known to walk the streets of Rock Hill.

"We just want to let that deputy and his family into our hearts and prayers," Hornung's daughter-in-law told WSOC-TV, "because I couldn't imagine what he's going through and we're just thinking about him."

Sheriff Bruce Bryant said Sunday that Conant had been an officer with the sheriff’s office since May 2007, and that he has not had any disciplinary action taken against him in the past.

“He’s a very good police officer,” Bryant said.

The deputy was not responding to a call at the time of the incident, said York County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Allen Brandon.

It is not known how fast the patrol car was traveling. Patrol Lance Cpl. Judd Jones said the vehicle’s speed is still under investigation.

Conant was wearing a seat belt, and he was not injured.

No charges had been filed Sunday, Jones said.

The sheriff's office is cooperating with the Highway Patrol’s investigation, according to a statement issued by the office. The office also said it will also conduct an internal investigation into the accident.

In accordance with sheriff’s office policy, Conant is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Bryant, who said he did not have further details about the incident, said he expresses his condolences to the victim’s family.

Heckle Boulevard was blocked for a couple hours after the crash.