South Carolina has witnessed a series of traffic accidents recently, prompting local authorities and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) to issue warnings and step up investigations to ensure road safety.
In Clarendon County, a tragic incident unfolded on a Thursday afternoon when a 2004 Freightliner tractor-trailer overturned while attempting a left turn onto Liberty Hill Church Road from U.S. 301 (St. Paul Road), near Summerton. The crash resulted in the death of 47-year-old Angel Albiter Hernandez, a passenger in the vehicle, who died at the scene. The driver was rushed to McLeod Health Clarendon Hospital by emergency medical services. The South Carolina Highway Patrol, with Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway providing insights, is actively investigating the accident to determine the cause and prevent future tragedies.
Another alarming event occurred on Interstate 20 in North Augusta, where westbound traffic came to a halt following a vehicle fire caused by a wreck near Mile Marker 6. The North Augusta Department of Public Safety quickly managed the fire, but the incident led to significant traffic congestion, stretching from I-520 to Rainbow Falls Road. The South Carolina Highway Patrol took charge of the investigation, with one lane remaining blocked well into the afternoon. Authorities, including the North Augusta Public Safety, assisted in managing the scene and advised motorists to anticipate delays.
A fender bender in South Carolina’s Sumter CountyPhoto bySouth Carolina Accident Reports
Further compounding the series of unfortunate events, a two-vehicle collision on Gardner Lacy Road and Highway 501 resulted in traffic blockages and injuries. Horry County Fire Rescue reported that one person was transported to the hospital with injuries following the Tuesday night crash. The accident also prompted warnings for motorists to avoid the 3000 block of Waccamaw Boulevard towards Myrtle Beach, where the collision occurred. Another incident on the same stretch saw two individuals hospitalized after one of the vehicles involved struck a wall. The extent of their injuries remains unknown as towing crews worked diligently to clear the roadway.
These incidents underscore the critical need for heightened awareness and adherence to road safety measures among drivers in South Carolina. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety continues its efforts to investigate these accidents, aiming to implement strategies that will reduce the likelihood of such events in the future and ensure the safety of all road users.
