Two young men killed in overnight crashes in same SC county identified by coroner
Two crashes happened in a three-hour span over the weekend in the same Midlands county, leaving two dead and four more injured, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The Orangeburg County collisions happened between 11:55 p.m. Saturday and 2:45 a.m. Sunday, said Lance Cpl. Lena Butler.
The Saturday night wreck involved a 2023 Freightliner tractor trailer and an ATV, according to Butler.
Both vehicles were driving south on S.C. 389 when they collided near Iris Lane, Butler said.
The tractor trailer truck driver was not hurt, but the ATV driver was taken to an area hospital where he died, according to Butler.
Joshua Roberts, a 26-year-old Neeses resident, died of injuries sustained in the collision, the Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office said.
No other injuries were reported in the crash that continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.
Less than three hours later, another person died in an unrelated crash about 30 miles away in Orangeburg County.
Early Sunday morning, a 2007 Toyota Camry was driving north on S.C. 47 and ran off the right side of the road near Farmers Road, Butler said.
The Toyota hit a culvert and flipped over, killing one of the five people inside the car, according to Butler.
Lucas Carraway, an 18-year-old Summerton resident, died at the scene after suffering blunt force injuries in the collision, the coroner’s office said. There was no word if the teenager was the driver or one of the passengers.
The four other occupants were hurt and taken to an area hospital, Butler said. Further information on their conditions was not available.
Information about what caused the car to veer off the road was not available, and like the earlier wreck, it continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.
There was no word if anyone involved in the crashes was wearing seat belts or safety gear.
Through April 30, at least 298 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,091 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least 17 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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This story was originally published May 8, 2023 at 11:20 AM.
