Two individuals killed and two extra harm in crash that blocked I-26 for hours, SC officers say

Two individuals have been killed and two others have been harm Thursday morning in a crash that blocked a part of Interstate 26 for about 7 hours, South Carolina officers stated.

The three-vehicle collision occurred at about 2:45 a.m. in Lexington County, stated Grasp Trooper William Bennett of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

A 1999 Worldwide tractor trailer, a 2014 Nissan sedan and a Dodge Ram pickup truck all have been driving west on I-26, in keeping with Bennett.

On the 90 mile marker, close to the Chapin space, the tractor trailer and automobile slowed for visitors forward and the pickup hit the rear of the automobile, Bennett stated. The automobile was then pushed into the again of the tractor trailer, in keeping with Bennett.

A driver and passenger within the Nissan died on the scene, Bennett stated. The Lexington County Coroner’s Office has not publicly recognized the individuals who have been within the Nissan.

There additionally have been two individuals within the pickup, and each have been taken to Prisma Well being Richland hospital, in keeping with Bennett. Additional data on their circumstances was not obtainable.

Bennett stated the motive force was the one individual within the tractor trailer, and was not harm. No different accidents have been reported.

There was no phrase if any of the individuals concerned within the crash have been sporting seat belts, however the wreck continues to be investigated by the Freeway Patrol.

Following the crash, all the westbound lanes of I-26 were closed, they usually weren’t reopened till a number of hours later when the scene was cleared at about 10 a.m., in keeping with the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

By way of Sunday, 563 individuals had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, in keeping with the state Division of Public Security. Final yr, 1,030 individuals died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At the least 34 individuals have died in Lexington County crashes in 2024, in keeping with DPS information. There have been 45 deaths reported within the county in 2023, DPS reported.

This was the fourth fatal collision in Lexington County since Aug. 20, and six people have died within the unrelated wrecks.