Five people killed in 12-hour span on roads in the same South Carolina county, cops say

During a 12-hour span Saturday, there were three fatal crashes in Orangeburg County where five people were killed and another person was injured, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The first crash

The first collision, a two-vehicle wreck, happened on Interstate 26 at about 4:20 a.m., said Master Trooper Gary Miller.

A 2011 Ford Crown Victoria was driving east on I-26, according to Miller. At the 159 mile marker the Ford was hit head-on by a 2003 Honda Odyssey van that was driving west in the eastbound lanes of I-26, Miller said.

Both drivers died and a passenger in the Ford was taken to an area hospital, according to Miller. Further information on the surviving victim’s condition was not available.

The Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the drivers. No other injuries were reported.

Information about why the Honda was driving toward oncoming traffic on I-26 was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.

The second crash

Less than three hours later, there was another deadly wreck in Orangeburg County.

There was a single-vehicle collision at about 6:55 a.m., according to Miller.

A 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was driving south on U.S. 21, Miller said. Near the intersection with Calhoun Street the pickup ran off the right side of the road and flipped over, according to Miller.

The driver, who Miller said was the only person in the pickup, died.

The coroner’s office has not publicly identified the pickup driver, and no other injuries were reported.

Information about what caused the pickup to veer off the road was not available, and Miller did not say if the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.

The third crash

Another deadly wreck happened in Orangeburg County at about 4:20 p.m., according to Miller.

This two-vehicle collision happened at the intersection of U.S. 601 and Scenic Drive, Miller said.

A 2024 Freightliner tractor trailer was driving north on U.S. 601 and it hit a 2020 Kawasaki ATV that was trying to cross the road, according to Miller.

The driver and passenger in the ATV, both juveniles, were killed, Miller said. The coroner’s office has not publicly identified the occupants of the ATV.

The driver was the only person in the tractor trailer and was not hurt, according to Miller.

No other injuries were reported, and Miller did not say if the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.

There was no word if any of the people involved in any of the three collisions were wearing seat belts or other protective restraints.

Through Sept. 1, at least 582 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least 34 people have died in Orangeburg County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were 36 deaths in the county in 2023, DPS reported.