Teen baseball player killed when truck crashes into tree, SC officials say
A teenage baseball player was killed and another person was injured Tuesday in a crash, according to South Carolina officials.
Caiden Miles McGuff, a 16-year-old Camden High School student, died in what Kershaw County Coroner David West called an accident.
The single-vehicle collision happened at about 5 p.m. in Kershaw County, said Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
McGuff was driving a 2004 Ford pickup truck west on Ridgeway Road, according to Ridgeway. Near the intersection with Richardson Boulevard the pickup ran off the left side of the road where it hit a phone box and flipped over before crashing into a tree, Ridgeway said.
Both McGuff and a female passenger in the pickup were taken to an area hospital, where the driver died, according to West.
Information on the passenger’s condition was not available.
No other injuries were reported.
There was no word if either the driver or passenger were wearing seat belts.
Information about what caused the pickup to veer off the road was not available, but the wreck continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.
The coroner said McGuff was an athlete, and the Camden High School baseball team mourned his death on social media.
“With a broken heart we announce the passing of Caiden McGuff from a car accident,” Camden Baseball said on X. “Caiden was a rising junior. We are deeply saddened but are forever thankful for the time spent with him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and our Baseball family.”
In April, McGuff was among the nominees for The State’s high school Boys Spring Sports Athlete of Week after he pitched a complete game. As a freshman, McGuff pitched for Camden’s junior varsity team, then joined the varsity squad during his sophomore year.
McGuff went 7-3 on the mound with a save in 13 appearances in 2025 for the Bulldogs. He struck out 28 batters in 33 innings and batters hit .234 against him.
His death also was mourned by the Camden P-17 Junior Legion that he played on this summer.
“Heaven has a new ACE,” the Camden P-17 Prospects said on social media. “We love you buddy. You will be dearly missed. Please send your prayers the the McGuff family during this time.”
Through Sunday, 484 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2025, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, at least 948 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least 11 people have died in Kershaw County crashes in 2025, according to DPS data. There were 10 deaths in the county in 2024, DPS reported.
Staff reporter Lou Bezjak contributed to this story.
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 July 30, 2025 at 9:15 AM.
