Three Florida teenagers were injured in a single-car, high-speed wreck on Interstate 95 near the 61-mile marker southbound Wednesday afternoon July 29 at 3:43 p.m.
The three were traveling southbound in a 1998 Jeep Cherokee when the vehicle dropped off of the left shoulder. The driver over-corrected and the vehicle entered the wooded median. The Jeep slid sideways and began to flip over when it struck several trees, crushing the passenger door. The door was pushed inwards and the roof collapsed on the 18-year-old front passenger, trapping him in the wreckage.
All three were wearing seatbelts.
Fire-Rescue units arrived minutes later, finding a 16-year-old female outside of the car with non-life threatening injuries. The 17-year-old driver was assisted from the vehicle through a window.
Firefighter-paramedics treated both for multiple traumatic injuries and transported both to the Trauma Center at MUSC by ambulance.
Other crew members were treating the trapped 18-year-old male, administering IV fluids and pain medications. The patient suffered multiple traumatic injuries, including a head injury. Firefighter-paramedics used hydraulic cutters and spreaders to free the teenager. He was extricated with full spinal precautions.
The CARE Flight helicopter responded and landed on I-95. The patient was flown to the Trauma Center at MUSC.
Traffic on I-95 southbound was stopped for about 30 minutes, then down to one lane for about an hour, causing traffic to back up several miles.
The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
