A 35-year-old Walterboro man died from injuries sustained in a single vehicle wreck on Lodge Highway (S.C. Hwy. 217) at the Bamberg County Line Friday morning May 29.
The accident was reported at 10:14 a.m., but is believed to have occurred around 7:30 a.m. The vehicle was difficult to see from the roadway. The engine on the SUV was cold and a nearby resident said she believed she heard the crash about 7:30 a.m.
The 1998 Toyota 4Runner was traveling south on Lodge Highway, when it crossed the over to the northbound side of the roadway and crashed into the creek, landing about 12 feet below the roadway. The vehicle struck the concrete bridge abutment on the south side of the creek, then overturned in the water, trapping the driver. The small SUV suffered heavy damage.
A passing motorist reported the accident to Colleton 9-1-1 dispatchers about 10 a.m. who sent responders to the scene. Firefighter-paramedics found the man inside the vehicle without any signs of life. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
Coroner Richard Harvey responded to the scene. William Northern, 36, of Walterboro died of multiple trauma. After Harvey completed his investigation, firefighters used rescue tools to remove the doors on the passenger side to gain full access to the patient, but he remained trapped. A winch and chains were rigged from a tree near the creek to roll up the car several feet to free the driver. He was freed from the SUV and turned over to the coroner’s office.
The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
