A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD BY HIS MANGLED CAR, BUT HIS NEWFOUND LOVE DOESN'T BELIEVE IT WAS AN ACCIDENT

"48 HOURS" Investigates In "The Hit-and-Run Homicide of Davis McClendon"

Saturday, March 1 at 10:00 PM ET/PT

When South Carolina authorities found Davis McClendon dead by the road near his wrecked car, they suspected a hit-and-run. But an oil trail led them to a local businessman, Bud Ackerman. 48 HOURS and correspondent Anne-Marie Green report on the 2023 case in "The Hit-and-Run Homicide of Davis McClendon," airing Saturday, March 1 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.

Investigators suspected that oil on the road had come from the vehicle that struck McClendon. Following the oil trail, the sheriff's deputies were led to the home where Ackerman lived. Ackerman had spent the day with his three children, but investigators quickly noticed red flags, including his Ford pickup, which was leaking oil in the driveway. Its front grille was broken, and a palm print was visible on the hood.

Authorities learned McClendon had been dating Ackerman's soon-to-be ex-wife, Meredith Haynie, and that Ackerman allegedly couldn't accept her moving on. Authorities say Ackerman compulsively called and messaged Haynie during a date with McClendon on the night of the fatal crash.

Did an enraged Ackerman use his truck as a weapon to kill McClendon? Or, as the defense claims, was McClendon standing in a dark road, unseen until it was too late? 48 HOURS uncovers the truth behind the fatal encounter that ended McClendon's life, and the evidence that could decide Ackerman's fate.

And at 9:00 PM ET/PT, when her husband is found dead of an apparent overdose, Kouri Richins writes a children's book about grief. Soon after she's charged with his murder. Contributor Natalie Morales reports in an encore of "48 HOURS: The People v. Kouri Richins."

Judy Tygard is the executive producer of 48 HOURS. Watch 48 HOURS on CBS News 24/7, CBSNews.com, Paramount+ and YouTube. The 48 HOURS free, advertiser-supported streaming (FAST) channel is available on Pluto TV, Paramount + and Paramount partner channels. Download the CBS News app on your phone or connected TV. Follow 48 HOURS on X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Listen to the 48 HOURS collection of original podcasts from CBS News.