A multi-vehicle accident occurred on I-95 at the southbound 53 mile marker on Wednesday morning, January 31. A tractor trailer collided with a small car carrier causing extensive damage to both vehicles and spread debris across the travel lanes. A van, from the car carrier, landed on the shoulder of the highway. The Dodge pickup truck, car carrier trailer and the two other vehicles being hauled were damaged as well. The tractor trailer received substantial damage in the accident, dislodging the front axle and rupturing the fuel tanks, before catching fire. The drivers of both vehicles were not injured, however a passenger in the semi-truck, who was asleep at the time, received non-life-threatening injuries. He was treated at the scene by Firefighter-Paramedics, then transported to Colleton Medical Center. The semi-truck’s cab was destroyed by the diesel fire and the front of the trailer was also damaged. Southbound traffic was at a standstill for over an hour and backed up for five miles. Traffic was diverted to Sniders Hwy. Several large wreckers from Gerald’s’ and Eric Bailey’s Towing responded to clear the accident. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating.
