Somerset County College Senior, 21, Killed In DUI Hit-And-Run: Police

SKILLMAN, NJ — A 21-year-old woman from Skillman and her friend were killed while crossing the street by a driver later charged with felony DUI and hit-and-run in South Carolina.

Kalina "Kat" Louise Trent, of Skillman, died on Aug. 22, at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to her obituary.

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"Trent was supposed to be beginning one of the best years of her life," according to a GoFundMe set up for her family.

Trent was a senior at Coastal Carolina University who was looking forward to her final year of college when the crash happened.

Conway Police Department said officers responded at about 12:16 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, to the area of Highway 544 and Elvington Loop after a hit-and-run involving a vehicle and two pedestrians.

Police reported that both pedestrians were taken for medical treatment and remained hospitalized.

The vehicle and driver were later found outside the city limits after the vehicle was involved in a separate crash, according to Conway Police.

The driver, Mauricio Palafox Correa, was charged with felony DUI and two counts of hit-and-run with great bodily injury.

The department said the incident remains under investigation.

Coastal Carolina University President Dr. James Winebrake shared with the community that "two of our fellow Chanticleers" were hit by a vehicle - "an incident that has deeply saddened and concerned our campus community."

"My thoughts and prayers are with them, their loved ones, and each one of you who has been affected by this tragic incident," said Winebrake.

Trent had severe head trauma and spent more than a week in the intensive care unit on life support as her family remained by her side following the crash, according to the GoFundMe.

Trent later died from her injuries. However, she chose organ donation after her death.

"Even in the midst of that heartbreak, Kat gave one final extraordinary gift," the GoFundMe said.

Trent's obituary said she graduated from Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School in 2023 and was preparing for her senior year at Coastal Carolina University.

According to the obituary, she was pursuing work in the NFL and worked as a barista at Starbucks on campus, interned with Coastal Carolina University Football Recruiting, served as a student assistant in the Athletic Ticket Office and held a summer job at a local tanning salon while maintaining a high GPA.

Her obituary described a young woman devoted to friends, family and animals, and said she is survived by her mother, Kimberly Trent; her father, Jeff Trent; her brothers, Deryk (Amy) Slaton and Camden Trent; her grandparents, Robert and Joyce Slaton and Joan Trent; along with extended family and friends.

For more information or to make a donation, visit gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-kalina-kat-trent.

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