By HEATHER WALTERS
A driver trying to help a motorcyclist who had just crashed his motorcycle and then landed in the middle of Interstate 95 accidentally ran over the man, creating a crash scene that backed traffic up on I-95 for hours.
The incident occurred on March 1st near the 42-mile marker of I-95 in Colleton County.
The 68-year-old victim, from Ridgeway, S.C., was traveling northbound on a Yamaha Motorcycle when he crashed the motorcycle near the 42-mile marker.
The motorcycle then skidded to the grass shoulder, but the driver remained in the roadway. Then, the driver of a northbound Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck attempted to stop to help the man, but he instead drove over the man, causing “critical, multiple traumatic injuries,” according to Colleton County Fire-Rescue Chief Barry McRoy. “Bystanders provided first aid prior to the arrival of Fire-Rescue units,” said McRoy.
“One bystander in a truck that was equipped with yellow warning lights blocked the roadway to protect the man and those assisting him.”
Firefighter-Paramedics treated the man at the scene and requested a medical helicopter. CARE Flight responded, and landed on I-95 just south of Exit 42. Northbound traffic was already stopped due to the previous accident.
“Fire-Rescue personnel and the Flight Crew worked diligently to stabilize the man and secure his airway prior to the flight to the Trauma Center at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston,” said McRoy.
According to McRoy, the unidentified driver of the pickup truck was “shaken up,” but denied any medical injuries.
Northbound traffic backed up for five miles and was detoured at Exit 38 in Yemassee. The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
