A driver and his dog lost their lives in a one-car wreck on Sniders Highway on Wednesday May 6 at 7:45 p.m.
Furman Columbo Walker, 40, of Cottageville and his dog both died on the scene of multiple trauma, according to Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey, who responded to the scene.
A Fire-Rescue unit responding to another incident in the area drove up on the wreck, that a neighbor said had just occurred.
The vehicle was traveling toward Walterboro when it drove off of the right shoulder past Tyler Road, re-entered the highway, over-corrected and left the roadway a second time, before sliding sideways and flipping over into several trees.
The cab on the 2007 Nissan Frontier pickup truck was crushed to the floor, trapping the driver.
Firefighter-paramedics used a chainsaw to remove several smaller trees to reach the cab. They stabilized the vehicle and used a wench to pull the truck off the trees. They then used rescue tools to remove the roof and extricate the driver and the dog. Unfortunately, both were deceased.
Traffic on Sniders Highway in the area of the accident was detoured for three hours. The CARE Flight helicopter was placed on standby, but was not used.
The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
