COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The Town of Summerton celebrated the life of their former mayor Tony Junious Friday, who died in a car wreck on January 27th, 2024. Summerton's Toni Singleton, 33, was charged with felony DUI resulting in his death.
On December 6th, 2024, what would've been the former mayor's 49th birthday, the town council presented the Junious family with a proclamation, naming December 6th in Summerton as 'Mayor Tony Junious Day'
Town council members, family, and friends shared memories of Junious, a Summerton native and the town's first Black mayor.
"The two years he was in office he got a lot done," said Junious' first cousin, Regina Brown.
Many people in the town of Summerton celebrated the life and legacy of the late mayor on Friday.
Dozens released balloons in Junious' honor. His sister says she was overwhelmed by the amount of support her family received on what would've been a special day in his life.
"Tony was always a family man; he was always there for people," said Junious' sister, Lakesha Junious, "I'm glad people showed up for him (Friday) morning on his 49th birthday."
Many praised Junious for what he did for the Summerton Community in his two years as mayor, saying he was responsible for bringing a Dollar General to the town and a rural water infrastructure grant of one million dollars. Junious' first cousin, Regina Brown, worked alongside him as a member of the Town Council.
She believes Mayor Keith Bowman will keep his vision alive.
"I'm sure that Mayor Bowman is going to continue his legacy and continue everything he had in place because it was a lot; he had a list, and he was checking it off," Brown said.
Toni Singleton, 33, was charged with felony DUI resulting in death in this case.
Officials say she is still behind bars at the Clarendon County Detention Center and has no update on her next court date at this time.
Singleton's attorney, Jonathan Harvey, says her case was presented to the grand jury of Clarendon County and she was indicted in May 2024. At this time, he tells WIS they plan to address the subject of bond in the near future.