CBS’s 48 Hours tackles a South Carolina hit-and-run case shrouded in suspicion, exploring whether the death of Davis McClendon was a tragic accident or a calculated act of vengeance. Correspondent Anne-Marie Green leads the investigation into the 2023 incident, piecing together a story of complicated relationships, alleged harassment, and a fateful night that ended in tragedy.
Initially, authorities treated McClendon’s death as a routine hit-and-run. However, a telltale trail of oil led investigators to Bud Ackerman, the estranged husband of McClendon’s girlfriend, Meredith Haynie. The discovery of Ackerman’s truck, sporting a broken grille, a palm print on the hood, and conveniently leaking oil, quickly shifted the focus from accident to possible foul play.
The story takes another turn as 48 Hours reveals Ackerman’s alleged obsessive behavior toward Haynie. On the very night of McClendon’s death, Ackerman reportedly bombarded Haynie with calls and texts while she was out on a date with the victim. This raises the crucial question: did jealousy and anger fuel a deliberate act of violence, or was McClendon simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?
48 Hours examines the key evidence, presenting both sides of the story. The prosecution points to Ackerman’s alleged harassment and the damage to his truck as signs of a premeditated attack. The defense, however, maintains that McClendon was standing in a poorly lit area and that the collision was unavoidable. The program lays out the facts, allowing viewers to weigh the evidence and draw their own conclusions. Tune in to CBS this Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET/PT to follow the twists and turns of this perplexing case.
48 Hours airs Saturdays at 10:00 PM ET/PT on CBS.
