Alcohol suspected in deadly SC riding mower crash

A man was killed when he was hit while driving a riding mower in the Upstate on Sunday.

The collision happened around 6 a.m. Sunday on Belton Honea Path Highway near Hamby Road, about 14 miles east of Anderson, according to Lance Cpl. Gary Miller of the S.C. Highway Patrol.

A Ford Fusion was traveling east on Belton Honea Path Highway when it hit a Troy-Bilt riding mower that was stopped in the eastbound lane, Miller said.

The driver of the riding mower was thrown from the mower and pronounced dead at the scene, Miller said.

Anderson County Deputy Coroner Don McCowan identified the victim as 28-year-old Jeffrey Todd Cooley of Belton, according to WSPA. Investigators believe Cooley was under the influence of alcohol and that alcohol was a contributing factor in the collision, the station reported.

The driver of the Fusion and a passenger both were injured and taken by EMS to AnMed Health Medical Center, Miller said. The extent of their injuries was not available. Both were wearing seat belts, Miller said.

The collision remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol.

This story was originally published August 12, 2018 at 11:25 AM.