Recent S.C. Crashes Stress the Importance of Staying Safe 

By S. Randall Hood | March 6, 2018

Recent S.C. Crashes Stress the Importance of Staying SafeA number of people traveling in South Carolina during the first week of February faced tragic consequences. Along with the Amtrak train crash into a parked CSX freight train in Cayce which killed two people, an additional 14 people lost their lives in car crashes throughout the state. The following locations and counties suffered deadly crash fatalities over this one weekend.

  • The Midlands. On Friday, Feb. 2, a 29-year-old man died from crash injuries after he was thrown from a vehicle in a two-car collision in Columbia on northbound I-77.
  • Pickens County. Another one of three crashes occurring on Friday took place in Pickens County. The vehicle of Phillip Ray James of liberty was struck on the side by a 2007 Ford truck as James’ vehicle was exiting from a private driveway onto Steward Gin Road.
  • Darlington County. Also on Friday, in Darlington County, a total of five people, including a teenager and two unborn children, lost their lives from among a vehicle of 11 occupants. One of the women in the vehicle was being driven to a local hospital for the delivery of her child, according to the Darlington County Coroner’s Office. The car veered off the side of the road into a drainage ditch, causing the vehicle to overturn, and resulting in the ejection of all 11 occupants.
  • Laurens County. On Sunday of that weekend, seven more people were killed in crashes. A 54-year-old man and three high school students were killed in a head-on collision in Laurens County. The teenagers were in a pickup truck that crossed over the centerline and hit the car.
  • Spartanburg County. A 59-year-old Enoree man was fatally wounded in Spartanburg County when his vehicle veered off the right side of the road striking a culvert and overturning.
  • Florence County. In Florence County, a 36-year-old Johnsonville woman lost her life in a single vehicle crash.
  • York County. An SUV driver was killed and two child passengers suffered injuries in a crash in York County as they collided with a tractor-trailer outside of Rock Hill Sunday night.

South Carolina is a dangerous place to drive

Any fatal car crash is a tragedy, but seven deadly car accidents in one weekend is extreme. In our state, however, these fatal crashes occur far more often than it should. In 2017, South Carolina ranked sixth overall for the worst drivers in the country – and first for fatal collisions and crashes.

The good news is, our numbers improve every year. We were ranked THE worst in the country in 2014, so we have made strides. But we also don’t want anyone to be complacent: sixth place is not where we want to be. We must all commit to trying to be better when we’re behind the wheel.

We want everyone to be safe on the road – but we also know that you cannot control the negligent behavior of other drivers. If you have been involved in a car crash due to the fault of another party that’s left you with a serious injury, the legal team at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC can help. With our experience and resources we can provide you with strong representation and advocacy to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. To look into your options with a free consultation with a South Carolina car crash lawyer, call us today at 803-327-7800 or complete our contact form.

Posted in Car Accidents