Tragic Spate of Fatal Crashes in South Carolina

News Summary

South Carolina faces a wave of heartbreak following a series of tragic traffic accidents, resulting in multiple fatalities. Distracted and impaired driving have been major contributors to these incidents. As authorities investigate, the community continues to seek answers and promote safe driving practices to mitigate future tragedies.

Multiple Fatal Crashes Reported in South Carolina

South Carolina is reeling from a string of tragic traffic accidents that have left the community shaken and families mourning. On March 2, 2025, several roads in the area were temporarily closed due to collisions involving distracted and impaired drivers.

Sunset Blvd/US-378 Collision

The day started with a serious crash on Sunset Blvd/US-378. All lanes were reopened after a wild incident involving four vehicles, caused by a distracted driver who rear-ended a stopped vehicle. This collision was particularly devastating, pushing the stopped vehicle into two others that were also at a standstill. Thankfully, immediate responders arrived quickly and assessed the situation, allowing traffic to resume not long after.

Fatal Motorcycle Incident on Blossom and Assembly Streets

In a separate and even more tragic turn of events, one person lost their life following a crash at the intersection of Blossom and Assembly Streets. A driver of a pickup truck struck a motorcyclist, who was then rushed to Prisma Health Richland. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the medical team, the motorcyclist succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. Disturbingly, the pickup truck driver fled the scene but didn’t get far. Officers from the Traffic Safety Unit managed to apprehend the individual, who now faces serious charges including hit and run resulting in death, failure to render aid, and driving without a license.

Richland County Fatality

Saturday night brought more sorrow to Richland County with a single-vehicle accident that resulted in the death of 38-year-old Kevin L. Haynes. The incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. when Haynes’s 1999 Honda Accord veered off the road and crashed into a culvert. He was the only occupant in the vehicle and was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. This crash took place near the Eastover area, close to the McEntire Joint National Guard Base. The cause behind this unfortunate accident is still under investigation, with no immediate updates available on the situation. There remains uncertainty over whether Haynes was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Disturbing Year for Road Safety

As of early March, South Carolina has faced an alarming toll on its roads, with at least 103 fatalities recorded already this year. In 2024 alone, there were a staggering 948 reported deaths in car crashes throughout the state. Specifically, Richland County has seen at least seven lives lost in crashes this year, compared to the 52 total deaths in 2024. These statistics serve as a chilling reminder of the importance of safe driving practices.

More Incidents on I-126

In a somewhat related event, a vehicle drove off a bridge on I-126 westbound from Elmwood and caught fire just before reaching the river. Witnesses reported damage to the guardrail and the alarming sight of flames from the car below. Fortunately, there was no structural damage to the bridge, but emergency crews were quick to respond and two lanes on I-126 were temporarily closed, only to reopen about an hour later.

Tragedy Strikes a Young Family

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching story of the week involves a 5-year-old girl named Leah Charlotte Flores Izaguirre, who lost her life after an impaired driver rear-ended the vehicle she was in on Charleston Highway in West Columbia. The rear-end collision occurred when a Dodge Charger crashed into the back of a Ford SUV, severely injuring Leah. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she later died from her injuries. Two others in the SUV were injured, though they are expected to recover. The driver of the Charger, 43-year-old Maurice Orlando Matthews, was arrested for driving under suspension and felony DUI resulting in death. This offense follows a history of repeated DUI incidents, as Matthews’s license had previously been suspended.

Leah’s mother has set up a GoFundMe to help with the funeral costs, managing to raise over $3,300 as of March 25. The recent surge in traffic-related fatalities underscores the need for greater awareness and responsible driving practices to ensure everyone’s safety on the roads. As the community bands together to heal, let’s remember the importance of vigilance on the road.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Tragic Collision on Sunset Boulevard Claims One Life
Memorial Established for USC Student Nate Baker, 21, After Tragic Hit-and-Run
Horry County, SC Faces Heartbreaking Accidents
Tragic Collision on Sunset Boulevard: Community in Mourning
Lexington, S.C. Tragedy: Fatal Collision on Sunset Boulevard
Tragic Accident in Darlington County Claims Father and Daughter
Tragic Train Collision in Columbia Claims Local Life
Tragic Motorcycle Crash in Gaston Claims Life of 38-Year-Old Rider
Fatal Three-Vehicle Crash in Abbeville County Leaves One Dead
Severe Tornado Outbreak Hits Missouri with No Fatalities

Additional Resources

• WIS News: Columbia Crash
• Wikipedia: Traffic Collision
• ABC Columbia: I-126 Traffic Alert
• Google Search: South Carolina Traffic Accidents
• WBTV: Fatal Crash Involving Impaired Driver
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Automobile
• WACH: I-126 Lane Closures
• Google News: Car Crash South Carolina
• The State: Motorcycle Collision

Author: HERE Lexington