Two drivers killed, more people hurt in Lexington County crashes, coroner says
Two people were killed and two others injured in separate crashes Friday, the Lexington County Coroner’s Office said.
The unrelated wrecks were separated by about 12 miles and three hours, according to Coroner Margaret Fisher.
A head-on collision happened at about 7:30 p.m. in the 500 block of Old Charleston Road, Fisher said. That’s in Pelion, near U.S. 178 and Pelion High School.
Patricia A. McCutcheon, a 61-year-old Pelion resident, was driving south on Old Charleston Road when a vehicle going in the opposite direction crossed the center line into the southbound lane and hit McCutcheon’s vehicle, according to Fisher.
McCutcheon, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene, Fisher said.
A passenger in the vehicle, who was also wearing a seat belt, as well as the driver of the other vehicle were taken to a local hospital following the accident, Fisher said.
Neither the passenger nor the other driver suffered life-threatening injuries, according to Fisher. Further information on their conditions was not available.
There was no word why the northbound vehicle veered into oncoming traffic, or if that driver will face any criminal charges, but the crash is being investigated by the Pelion Police Department with assistance from the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The second deadly wreck happened later that night.
At about 10:30 p.m., a single-vehicle collision happened in the 100 block of Naomi Drive, Fisher said. That’s between Interstate 20 and Gilbert High School.
Ruben Cabrera, a 28-year-old Gilbert resident, was driving on Naomi Drive when he failed to navigate a curve and his vehicle ran off the road where it crashed into an embankment and flipped over, according to Fisher.
Cabrera was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene, Fisher said.
No other injuries were reported in the second crash, which is being investigated by the Highway Patrol.
Through Thursday, 628 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2022, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,194 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least 26 people have died in Lexington County crashes in 2022, DPS reported. Last year, 57 deaths were reported there, according to DPS data.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published August 21, 2022 at 9:23 AM.
