In a deeply emotional case, Billy Hutto Jr., a Gilbert man convicted of killing a 6-year-old girl in a DUI crash, is set to request a pardon for his felony charges on Wednesday.
Hutto, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the 2012 crash that claimed the life of Emma Longstreet, is scheduled to appear before the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services at 10:30 a.m. His potential pardon has sparked outrage, with Emma’s father, David Longstreet, and state officials strongly opposing the move.
Hutto was convicted in 2013 and served six years before being released in 2019. The fatal crash occurred at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Mallard Drive in Lexington County when Hutto, driving at 60 mph in a 35 mph zone with a blood alcohol level of .208—more than twice the legal limit—ran a red light and T-boned the Longstreet family’s vehicle. David Longstreet, his wife Karen, their three sons, and Emma were on their way to church when the tragedy struck, leaving all of them injured and Emma fatally wounded.
In response to the pardon request, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued a letter urging the parole board to deny it. “His reckless DUI crash took 6-year-old Emma Longstreet’s life. Now he wants a pardon. That is unacceptable,” Wilson stated.
Since Emma’s death, the Longstreet family has been instrumental in pushing for stricter DUI laws. Their advocacy led to the passage of Emma’s Law in 2014, which mandated ignition interlock devices for repeat DUI offenders and first-time offenders with high blood alcohol levels. The law was further strengthened in 2024, requiring all convicted DUI offenders to install these devices.
Despite the lasting impact of Emma’s Law, the Longstreet family continues to seek justice for their daughter. As the parole board weighs its decision, emotions run high, and many await the outcome of Hutto’s controversial pardon request.
