Midlands driver killed in head-on crash with tractor trailer, SC coroner says

A Midlands woman was killed in a head-on crash with a tractor trailer, the Saluda County Coroner’s Office said.

Kimberly F. Bundrick, a 65-year-old Saluda resident, died Thursday, Coroner Keith Turner said.

The two-vehicle collision happened at about 4 p.m. on S.C. 39, according to Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Bundrick was driving a 2019 Honda sedan north on S.C. 39, and near the intersection with Speigner Road, crossed over the center line, Ridgeway said. The car crashed head on into a 2015 Freightliner tractor trailer that was driving south on S.C. 39, according to Ridgeway.

Bundrick died at the scene, according to Turner.

Ridgeway said the 39-year-old South Carolina resident driving the semi was not hurt, and no other injuries were reported.

There was no word if either driver was wearing a seat belt.

Information about what caused the Honda to veer into oncoming traffic was not available, but the collision continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol and coroner’s office.

The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, EMS and firefighters also responded to the wreck.

Through March 5, at least 153 people had died on South Carolina roads this year, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,081 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least three people have died in Saluda County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, two deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.

This story was originally published March 12, 2023 at 11:12 AM.

Noah Feit

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription