In a 12-hour span on Saturday, three fatal crashes occurred in Orangeburg County, killing five people and injuring one, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.
The first crash
The first collision, a two-vehicle crash, occurred on Interstate 26 around 4:20 a.m., said Trooper Gary Miller.
A 2011 Ford Crown Victoria was traveling eastbound on I-26, Miller said. At the 159-mile marker, the Ford was struck head-on by a 2003 Honda Odyssey van that was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-26, Miller said.
Both drivers were killed and a passenger in the Ford was taken to an area hospital, Miller said. Further information on the condition of the surviving victim was not available.
The Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the drivers. No other injuries have been reported.
Information about what caused the Honda to veer into oncoming traffic on I-26 is not available, but highway patrol is still investigating the crash.
The second crash
Less than three hours later, another fatal accident occurred in Orangeburg County.
According to Miller, a single-vehicle accident occurred around 6:55 a.m.
A 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was traveling south on U.S. 21, Miller said. At the intersection with Calhoun Street, the pickup truck went off the right side of the road and overturned, Miller said.
The driver, who Miller said was the only person in the pickup, died.
The coroner has not yet released the identity of the pickup driver. No other injuries have been reported.
There is no information available about what caused the pickup to leave the road. Miller also could not say whether the highway patrol is investigating the crash further.
The third crash
According to Miller, another fatal crash occurred in Orangeburg County around 4:20 p.m.
This two-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of US 601 and Scenic Drive, Miller said.
According to Miller, a 2024 Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling north on US 601 and struck a 2020 Kawasaki ATV that was attempting to cross the road.
The driver and passenger in the ATV, both minors, were killed, Miller said. The coroner’s office has not publicly identified the occupants of the ATV.
According to Miller, the driver was the only one in the truck and was not injured.
No other injuries were reported and Miller could not say whether the highway patrol was investigating the crash further.
It is not known whether the occupants of the three collisions were wearing seat belts or other protective equipment.
Through Sept. 1, at least 582 people have died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people were killed in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least 34 people will die in crashes in Orangeburg County in 2024, according to DPS data. In 2023, there were 36 deaths in the county, DPS reported.
