Myrtle Beach, February 4, 2026
The family of Jackson Yelle, a former Elon Club Baseball player, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit following his tragic passing in a hit-and-run incident in Myrtle Beach. The lawsuit targets both the driver, Jason Sauro, and Dave & Busters for allegedly overserving alcohol to Sauro prior to the accident. This legal action seeks accountability and highlights the complexities families face in the aftermath of grief and loss, as the Yelle family continues their pursuit of justice nearly three years after the incident.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Family of Elon Club Baseball Player Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The family of Jackson Yelle, a 21-year-old former member of the Elon Club Baseball team who tragically died in a 2023 hit-and-run incident in Myrtle Beach, has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver involved and a local establishment. This significant legal development was reported on February 3, 2026, marking a new chapter in the family’s long pursuit of accountability following their profound loss.
Jackson Yelle was killed in April 2023 while attempting to cross Highway 17 Bypass North near 21st Avenue in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was visiting the city on a weekend trip with his baseball teammates at the time of the fatal accident.
Criminal Proceedings and Driver’s Sentencing
The individual identified as the driver involved in the incident was Jason Sauro, a 45-year-old resident of Myrtle Beach. Authorities charged Sauro on May 1, 2023, with traffic/hit and run resulting in death. In a subsequent criminal proceeding, Sauro pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and a felony related to the deadly crash. His charges had been reduced from hit and run involved in an accident with death to first-degree assault and battery. On July 10, 2024, Sauro received a sentence of 10 years in prison, which was suspended, leading to five years of probation. As part of his probationary terms, he is required to undergo five years of random drug and alcohol testing.
The outcome of the criminal case, where a period of incarceration was suspended in favor of probation, has been a source of enduring pain for the Yelle family, underscoring the complexities and often agonizing realities faced by those left to mourn. The legal process, in its structured deliberation, often contrasts sharply with the raw, personal nature of grief.
Details of the Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The newly filed wrongful death lawsuit seeks to address civil liabilities related to Jackson Yelle’s death. The lawsuit specifically names Jason Sauro, the driver involved, and Dave & Busters as defendants. A central allegation in the legal filing is that Dave & Busters overserved alcohol to Sauro in the hours preceding the fatal incident. This claim suggests a broader scope of responsibility, extending beyond the immediate act of the driver to include entities that may have contributed to the circumstances leading to the tragedy, inviting careful consideration of all contributing factors.
Wrongful death lawsuits aim to provide a measure of justice and compensation to families who have lost loved ones due to negligence or misconduct. They often seek to cover various damages, including medical and funeral expenses, loss of income, and the profound emotional suffering endured by surviving family members. The filing of this civil action, nearly three years after the initial event, reflects a family’s deep-seated need for answers and a desire to hold all responsible parties accountable, a fundamental human impulse to make sense of the senseless and find a pathway toward a semblance of peace in an altered world.
A Family’s Enduring Quest for Justice
The journey of Jackson Yelle’s family through both criminal proceedings and now a civil lawsuit illustrates the long and often arduous path families must walk when confronted with such sudden and devastating loss. Jackson Yelle, a young man with a future yet to unfold, was on a simple weekend trip when his life was abruptly taken. The diligent pursuit of this lawsuit, even after the criminal case has concluded, speaks to a fundamental human desire for a comprehensive understanding of events and a thorough accounting of all actions that contributed to a life tragically cut short. It is a testament to the quiet strength and enduring love that anchors a family in the face of an irreversible absence, a quiet declaration that a life lost carries weight and demands recognition beyond the immediate legal outcome.
The case continues to unfold in the South Carolina legal system, with the family committed to ensuring that the full narrative of Jackson Yelle’s death is brought to light and that all parties whose actions contributed to the tragedy are held responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the latest development in the Jackson Yelle case?
- The family of Jackson Yelle, who died in a 2023 hit-and-run, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and Dave & Busters.
- When did Jackson Yelle die?
- Jackson Yelle died in April 2023 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
- Who is being sued in the wrongful death lawsuit?
- The wrongful death lawsuit names Jason Sauro, the driver involved, and Dave & Busters as defendants.
- What is the allegation against Dave & Busters?
- The lawsuit alleges that Dave & Busters overserved alcohol to Jason Sauro in the hours before the fatal incident.
- What was the outcome of the criminal case against Jason Sauro?
- Jason Sauro pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and a felony related to the crash. He was sentenced on July 10, 2024, to 10 years in prison suspended to five years of probation.
- Where did the incident occur?
- The incident occurred on Highway 17 Bypass North near 21st Avenue in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Key Features of the Jackson Yelle Wrongful Death Lawsuit
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Victim | Jackson Yelle, 21-year-old former Elon Club Baseball team member | State-level |
| Date of Death | April 2023 | State-level |
| Location of Incident | Highway 17 Bypass North near 21st Avenue, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | State-level |
| Driver Involved | Jason Sauro, 45, of Myrtle Beach | State-level |
| Date of Lawsuit Filing Report | February 3, 2026 | State-level |
| Defendants in Lawsuit | Jason Sauro and Dave & Busters | State-level |
| Allegation Against Restaurant | Overserving alcohol to Jason Sauro | State-level |
| Criminal Sentence for Driver | 10 years suspended to 5 years probation (July 10, 2024) | State-level |
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
