Two people killed in overnight crash on South Carolina road, cops say
Two people were killed early Sunday morning in a crash on a Midlands road, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
A two-vehicle collision happened at about 12:55 a.m. in a part of Clarendon County between U.S. 521 and I-95, said Master Trooper William Bennett.
A 2014 Dodge Challenger was driving north on Plowden Mill Road, according to Bennett. Near the intersection with Wateree Road the Dodge collided with a 2018 Honda Accord that was stopped across the northbound lane, Bennett said.
Both the driver and a passenger in the Honda died at the scene, according to Bennett.
The victims were identified by the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office, which said 36-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina, resident Christopher Polite was the driver and 45-year-old Manning resident Anthony Nelson was the passenger who died, WLTX reported.
Bennett said there were three people in the Dodge, but neither the driver nor the two passengers suffered life-threatening injuries. Further information on their conditions was not available.
No other injuries were reported.
There was no word if anyone involved in the wreck was wearing a seatbelt.
Information about why the Honda was stopped in the road was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.
Through Dec. 21, at least 861 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2025, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 948 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least 11 people have died in Clarendon County crashes in 2025, according to DPS data. There were nine deaths in the county in 2024, DPS reported.
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This story was originally published December 29, 2025 at 7:46 AM.
