Two Dead, 26 Injured in South Carolina Interstate Crashes

Overview of the I-95 Crashes in South Carolina

A series of serious crashes on Interstate 95 in South Carolina have left more than two dozen people injured and two individuals dead. The incident occurred on Tuesday during a heavy thunderstorm near the 40-mile marker on the southbound lanes of I-95. The area is known for its challenging driving conditions, especially during severe weather.

Details of the Crashes

The event involved two separate collisions, with a total of 14 vehicles, including six tractor-trailers, impacted. According to local fire rescue teams, 26 people were injured, four were trapped, and two died at the scene. The southbound lanes of I-95 were closed for 11 hours as crews worked to clear the wreckage.

The first collision happened just south of the Combahee River bridge, which is a rural stretch of the highway. Witnesses reported near-zero visibility due to the storm, contributing significantly to the accidents. A second, more severe wreck occurred on the bridge itself, leading to significant damage with vehicles piled on top of each other.

One semi-truck carrying sheets of plate glass spilled its cargo, creating hazardous conditions with broken glass up to two feet deep in some areas. This made it extremely difficult for emergency responders to navigate the crash site safely.

Injuries and Rescue Efforts

Several victims were trapped in their vehicles. One truck driver was found with his cab completely demolished and was rescued after being trapped in the wreckage. Another victim was trapped in a pickup truck that had crashed through the rear of a semi-trailer and was ten feet in the air.

An individual fell off the bridge into the Combahee River while trying to escape his car. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries but managed to swim to the bank before emergency responders arrived. He was later transported to a local hospital.

Other drivers assisted the injured when responders arrived. One man climbed onto the pile of vehicles and directed responders to the most injured individuals. He also provided crucial information about the number of injured and their locations.

Medical Response and Challenges

Emergency response efforts included multiple ambulances from different counties. However, poor weather conditions prevented medical helicopters from flying. The blocked southbound lanes caused traffic to back up for miles, delaying some responders.

Rescue teams spent 35 minutes using specialized tools to extricate one victim from a small passenger car. The individual was transported to a trauma center in Charleston and required advanced airway procedures to save his life. Another crew used similar tools to free the truck driver, who was taken to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia.

Nine people were transported to HCA Colleton Hospital and Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Thirteen of the victims did not require hospitalization. The two deceased individuals were handled by the Colleton County Coroner's Office.

Aftermath and Investigation

The highway reopened at 3 a.m. on Wednesday. The crashes are currently under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, and the Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team.

Additional Local News

In related news, several other incidents have been reported in the area. A missing man was found dead behind an Upstate storage unit, with the coroner stating there is no foul play involved. A man died weeks after a fight at an Upstate restaurant. Deputies discovered a live grenade in the car of a breaking and entering suspect. A local man pleaded guilty to death by distribution of fentanyl. Authorities also reported finding enough fentanyl to kill 36 million people in South Carolina, according to the Department of Justice.