Stations 1 and 26 responded to a high speed single vehicle MVC on I-95 at the 52 mile marker northbound, Friday afternoon 9-July at 1758. Witnesses stated the 1996 Plymouth Voyager Mini-van suffered a rear tire blown out. The 64 year old female driver lost control of the vehicle, crossed both lanes of traffic and entered the median backwards. The van began to flip over, but struck several trees roof first causing massive damage to the small vehicle. Two unrestrained female children, 8 and 15 years old, who were riding in the rear seats were ejected from the van. An unrestrained 17 year old male, also a rear seat passenger, was trapped in the wreckage. He was conscious, but suffered multiple traumatic injuries. Firefighter-Paramedics quickly unloaded the rear of the van, which was filled to the ceiling with luggage. They were able to partially dismantle and maneuver the rear seats to access the trapped 17 year old who was pinned by the crushed roof. Crews worked for 17 minutes to free the young man. An unrestrained front seat passenger was partially ejected and was killed on impacted. She was also trapped in the wreckage. The driver, who was the only occupant wearing a seat belt was also killed and trapped. Both front seat passengers died of multiple traumatic injuries.
A medical helicopter was called to the scene to fly the 17 year old to a trauma center in Charleston. He was treated at the scene by Medic 1 and then flown by Lifenet 3 to MUSC. Medic 26 transported the two female children to Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro. The Coroner’s Office was notified and responded to the scene. Once they had completed their investigation, Firefighters used Holmatro Rescue Tools to remove the side doors and displace the roof to free the front seat passengers. The Coroner’s Office transported both of the women to the morgue.
The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the collision. Traffic on I-95 northbound was down to one lane for about two hours and shut down completely for 20 minutes while the helicopter was on the ground. Lifenet 3 landed in the northbound lanes north of the crash site. This makes the 11th and 12th traffic fatalities in Colleton County in 2010. Of the 12, only 2 were wearing seatbelts.
Engine 1, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Medic 26, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 111 and Car 116 responded. Asst. Chief David Greene served as Incident Commander.
