Lexington man killed in multi-vehicle crash on Midlands road identified by SC coroner
One person was killed and others were injured Saturday night in a multi-vehicle crash on a Midlands road, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol.
David Barker was killed, Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece said Monday. An autopsy has been scheduled for the 53-year-old Lexington resident, according to Kneece.
The three-vehicle collision happened at about 7:25 p.m. on S.C. 121 in Newberry County, near the intersection with Sulphur Springs Road, said Master Trooper Brandon Bolt of the Highway Patrol.
A 2006 Mazda 3 and a 2016 Ford F-150 were driving south on S.C. 121, according to Bolt. A 2017 Kia Sportage was driving in the opposite direction and crossed left of the center line, Bolt said.
The Mazda ran off the right side of the road and was sideswiped by the oncoming SUV, which continued ahead and crashed head-on into the pickup truck, according to Bolt.
The pickup burst into flames and Barker, the driver died, Bolt said. A 16-year-old passenger in the pickup had to be flown by helicopter to an area hospital, according to Bolt.
The Pennsylvania man driving the SUV also was airlifted to an area hospital, Bolt said.
Further information on their conditions was not available.
Bolt said the driver of the car might have been hurt but declined medical treatment, while a passenger was not injured.
No other injuries were reported.
There was no word if anyone involved in the collision wore a seat belt, or if the SUV driver will face criminal charges.
Information about why the Kia SUV veered into oncoming traffic was not available, but the crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol and coroner’s office.
Through Sunday, 415 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2022, according to the Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,194 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least three people have been killed in Newberry County crashes in 2022, according to DPS. There were 18 deaths there last year, DPS data shows.
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This story was originally published June 5, 2022 at 9:36 AM.
