8-year-old ejected, killed when truck overturns, SC troopers say

An 8-year-old girl died when she was ejected from a truck that rolled over during a crash Saturday, according to S.C. troopers.

The deadly crash happened just after 2 p.m. Saturday on S.C. 418 near Forks Shoals Road in the Pelzer area of Greenville County, according to Lance Cpl. David Jones of the S.C. Highway Patrol.

A Dodge single-cab pickup was traveling west on S.C. 418 when the truck went off the right side of the roadway, where it hit a guard rail and overturned, Jones said.

An 8-year-old girl, who was not restrained, was ejected from the pickup and died at the scene, Jones said.

Greenville County Coroner B. Parks Evans Jr. identified the girl as Lashonna Bowens of Fountain Inn. She died of multiple blunt force trauma, Evans said.

Lashonna was a student at Bryson Elementary School in Simpsonville, Evans said.

The driver of the pickup, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to a hospital with injuries, Jones said. The extent of injuries was not available. Two other passengers in the truck were restrained and were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation by the coroner’s office and the Highway Patrol.