Driver killed when car runs off major highway and crashes into tree, SC cops say
One person was killed Sunday night when a car ran off a major interstate and crashed into a tree, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.
The single-vehicle collision happened at about 7:15 p.m. in Orangeburg County, according to Lance Cpl. Lena Butler.
It was near the 154 mile marker on Interstate 26 where a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze that was driving west on the highway veered left across the median and into the eastbound lanes, Butler said. That’s near the junction with U.S. 301.
The Chevy continued heading left and ran off I-26 where it hit a tree, according to Butler.
The driver died at the scene, Butler said.
The Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the driver.
There was no word if the driver was wearing a seat belt.
Butler said the driver was the only person in the Chevy, and no other injuries were reported.
Information about what caused the Chevy to veer off I-26 was not available, but the wreck continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.
Through March 12, at least 174 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,081 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least 10 people have died in Orangeburg County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 46 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.
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