“`html
Tragic Six-Vehicle Collision on I-26 Claims Two Lives, Injures Five
Table of Contents
- 1. Tragic Six-Vehicle Collision on I-26 Claims Two Lives, Injures Five
- 2. What legal options are available to the families of the deceased?
- 3. Fatal Interstate Crash Claims Two Lives, Injures Five in South Carolina
- 4. Details of the South Carolina Interstate Accident
- 5. Timeline of Events
- 6. Victims and Injuries
- 7. Injury Types reported
- 8. Contributing Factors & Investigation
- 9. Potential Contributing Factors Under investigation:
- 10. Interstate 95 Safety Concerns & Accident Statistics
- 11. South Carolina Traffic Fatality Statistics (Recent Trends):
- 12. Resources for Accident Victims & Families
- 13. Impact on Traffic & Travel
- 14. SCDOT resources for Traffic Updates:
CALHOUN COUNTY, S.C. –
A devastating six-vehicle collision on Interstate 26 in Calhoun County, South Carolina, has resulted in two fatalities and five injuries, according to the South Carolina Highway patrol.
The incident occurred around 5:11 p.m. on July 16,impacting the eastbound lanes of I-26 near mile marker 120.
Authorities report that a 2013 Chevrolet sedan traveling westbound veered off the roadway. It afterward struck the cable barrier dividing the highway.
The Chevrolet then crossed over into the eastbound lanes. There,it collided with a 2018 GMC sedan.
Tragically, both drivers involved in this initial impact succumbed to their injuries.
The collision swiftly escalated as four additional vehicles became involved. These included a 2017
What legal options are available to the families of the deceased?
Fatal Interstate Crash Claims Two Lives, Injures Five in South Carolina
Details of the South Carolina Interstate Accident
A devastating multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 95 in South Carolina resulted in two fatalities and left five individuals injured on July 18, 2025.The accident occured near mile marker 137 in Dillon County, impacting northbound traffic and causing significant delays. Initial reports from the South Carolina Highway Patrol indicate the crash involved a tractor-trailer and multiple passenger vehicles.
Timeline of Events
10:15 AM EDT: The initial collision occurred, reportedly involving a sudden slowdown in traffic due to congestion.
10:17 AM EDT: A tractor-trailer, unable to stop in time, collided with several vehicles ahead.
10:20 AM EDT – 12:00 PM EDT: emergency responders, including Dillon County Fire and Rescue, SCHP, and EMS units, worked to extricate victims and clear the scene. Northbound I-95 was fully shut down.
12:00 PM EDT: One lane of northbound I-95 was reopened, allowing traffic to slowly pass the accident site.Full reopening occurred at approximately 4:00 PM EDT.
Victims and Injuries
The two confirmed fatalities were occupants of separate passenger vehicles. Their identities are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Of the five injured, two were transported to McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence with critical injuries. The remaining three sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at local hospitals. The truck driver sustained minor injuries.
Injury Types reported
Critical Injuries: Multiple fractures, internal bleeding, head trauma.
Non-life-Threatening Injuries: Whiplash, lacerations, bruising, sprains.
Contributing Factors & Investigation
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the accident. Preliminary investigations suggest that speed and distracted driving may have been contributing factors, but this remains unconfirmed.
Potential Contributing Factors Under investigation:
Speeding: Excessive speed for the prevailing traffic conditions.
Distracted Driving: Use of mobile devices or othre distractions while operating a vehicle.
Following Too Closely: Insufficient following distance between vehicles.
Mechanical failure: Inspection of the tractor-trailer is underway to rule out any mechanical issues.
Driver Fatigue: The truck driver’s hours of service are being reviewed.
Interstate 95 Safety Concerns & Accident Statistics
Interstate 95,a major north-south artery along the East Coast,is known for high traffic volume and a corresponding increase in accidents. South Carolina consistently ranks among states with higher-than-average rates of traffic fatalities.
South Carolina Traffic Fatality Statistics (Recent Trends):
2023: 1,128 traffic fatalities reported statewide.
2024 (Year-to-Date – July 18): 785 traffic fatalities reported statewide, representing a slight increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Dillon County: Has seen a 15% increase in reported traffic accidents in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Resources for Accident Victims & Families
Following a serious accident, victims and their families often require immediate assistance. Several resources are available in South Carolina:
South Carolina Department of Public Safety: Provides information on traffic laws and accident reporting: https://www.scdps.gov/
South Carolina Victim Assistance Network: Offers support services for victims of crime,including traffic accidents: https://scvan.org/
American Red Cross: Provides disaster relief and support services: https://www.redcross.org/
Legal Assistance: Consulting with a personal injury attorney can definitely help navigate the legal complexities following an accident.
Impact on Traffic & Travel
The I-95 closure caused significant traffic backups extending for several miles in both directions. Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes, including US-74 and SC-38. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of major interstate corridors to disruptions caused by large-scale accidents. Real-time traffic updates were provided by the South carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) via its website and mobile app.
SCDOT resources for Traffic Updates:
SCDOT Website: https://www.scdot.org/
511 System: dial 511 for real-time traffic information.
* SCDOT Mobile App: Available for iOS and Android devices.
