Driver who ran into bus killed on US 378; seven on bus injured

A driver whose car turned into the path of a passenger-filled bus was killed Saturday in Sumter County.

Seven people on the bus were taken to Tuomey Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

The driver of the 1999 Dodge who was killed had not been identified Sunday morning by the county coroner’s office.

He was not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene, a S.C Highway Patrol spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, the Dodge was turning from U.S. 378 onto Illery Road and was struck by the bus, which was headed east on U.S. 378.

The bus driver, Johnny Beas, who was wearing a seat belt, was not hurt, the spokesman said.

No other information was available Sunday morning.

“The collision remains under investigation,” the spokesman said.

Illery Road intersects with U.S. 378, a popular travel route linking Columbia, Sumter and Myrtle Beach. It is about halfway between Sumter and Interstate 95. The road in that area is mostly four-lane, with a wide median, and flanked by woods on either side.