Bud Ackerman Convicted in Greenwood Murder of Davis McClendon

Greenwood jury finds estranged husband guilty after fatal roadside encounter

GREENWOOD, South Carolina — William “Bud” Ackerman was convicted of murdering Davis McClendon after prosecutors said he used his Ford F-250 pickup truck to strike McClendon during a late-night encounter on a secluded Greenwood road on May 7, 2023. Ackerman received a 45-year state prison sentence following the September 2024 verdict and is appealing his conviction.

McClendon, 46, was found shortly after 1 a.m. near the intersection of Avid Road and Sawgrass Place, about 50 feet from his damaged BMW 5 Series sedan. His shirt and one shoe were on the pavement, while his body was found at the edge of nearby woods. Investigators initially treated the scene as a possible hit-and-run after finding no second vehicle at the intersection.

According to the CBS News account of the case, Greenwood County sheriff’s investigators quickly identified evidence suggesting the collision involved more than an ordinary crash. The BMW’s front fender had been torn back, airbags had deployed, and authorities found oil on the road, tire marks and footprints near the site.

Investigators followed an oil trail away from the intersection and ultimately to the home of Ackerman’s parents, where Ackerman had been living after separating from his wife, Meredith Haynie. Deputies found Ackerman’s white Ford F-250 in the driveway with oil leaking underneath, damage to its grille and what authorities described as additional signs consistent with a collision.

Digital records formed key part of prosecution case

Haynie, who had been dating McClendon after separating from Ackerman, told authorities that McClendon left the Key West Club after midnight to meet with Ackerman. McClendon later called her and said he was parked at Avid Road and Sawgrass Place. When he put her on hold and did not return to the call, Haynie became concerned and traveled to the area with Megan McGovern, who discovered McClendon’s body and called 911.

Prosecutors said Ackerman had spent hours trying to locate Haynie and McClendon that night. Security footage, phone records and data extracted from the pickup’s infotainment system showed Ackerman driving through Greenwood, including near locations associated with Haynie and McClendon.

Vehicle data placed the truck at the Avid Road and Sawgrass Place intersection at about 1:11 a.m., prosecutors said. The records documented sudden braking and subsequent movements consistent with the truck stopping, a door opening and the vehicle later driving away. Investigators also said the system recorded more than 3,000 vehicle events over a 24-hour period, providing unusually detailed evidence about speed, braking and travel.

A collision reconstruction expert testified that Ackerman’s truck was on the wrong side of the road when it struck McClendon’s BMW and hit McClendon near the driver’s side. Prosecutors argued Ackerman intentionally targeted McClendon, carrying him on the truck’s grille before McClendon fell where his body was later found.

Defense argued collision was an accident

Ackerman testified that he had intended only to speak with McClendon and did not mean to hurt him. His defense maintained that the road was dark, McClendon was standing near the roadway and Ackerman had little time to avoid the collision. Ackerman said he swerved left toward the BMW in an effort to stop his truck from hitting McClendon directly.

However, Ackerman acknowledged during trial that he did not call 911 after the crash. He testified that he panicked, drove to his parents’ home and told them what had happened. Prosecutors emphasized that neither Ackerman nor his family contacted authorities before deputies arrived.

The jury deliberated for less than 30 minutes before unanimously finding Ackerman guilty of murder. Judge Donald Hocker sentenced him to 45 years in prison. Ackerman is not eligible for parole and is expected to be released in 2068, though his appeal remains pending.