The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Robert Brandon Bentley, 28, of Williamston, in connection with a recent hit and run incident on Highway 29 N in Belton. According to reports, around 9 pm Monday evening (April 27), Bentley reportedly swerved his 1997 Honda Accord into a moped driven by Justin Rickets of Belton. His action caused the vehicle to strike the moped, forcing it off the roadway. Bentley then left the scene.
Highway patrol was dispatched. Based on their preliminary investigation, they determined the incident was intentional and the case was turned over to the Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.
Rickets was transported to the Anderson Area Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and multiple abrasions.
While canvassing the area, deputies observed a dark green Honda on HI Taylor Road which matched the description of the suspect vehicle. They conducted a traffic stop and observed scratches on the vehicle’s passenger side doors and a missing passenger-side mirror. Bentley was identified as the driver of the vehicle.
He was detained and taken into custody on an outstanding Family Court Bench Warrant. After reviewing the facts of the case with a magistrate, a warrant was obtained on Bentley for attempted murder. The arrest warrant indicates that Bentley struck Rickets with the intent to kill him.
According to the incident report, the hit & run occurred shortly after Rickets refused to sell his moped to Bentley.
Bentley remains incarcerated at the Anderson County Detention Center pending a bond hearing scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon.
