03/31/2012 – Fatal MVC – “B” Shift

Incident # 12-01744 – An 18 year old Colleton County High School Senior lost his life in an early morning MVC east of Islandton Saturday morning 31-March. The accident was reported at 04:37 after the 2001 Mitsubishi Gallant left the roadway and struck a large pine tree in front of 12131 Snider Highway (SC Hwy63). The noise woke  the resident who called 9-1-1 and attempted to assist the injured driver. Engine 10 and 15, with Medic 18 arrived about 9 minutes later to find the car with heavy damage on the driver’s side. The driver was unconscious and suffering respiratory problems. He was wearing a seatbelt, but received multiple traumatic injuries in the crash, including head injuries. Crewmembers were able to safely remove him through the passenger side. A medical helicopter was called to fly him to a Trauma Center, so Medic 18 transported the patient to a field at Sniders Crossroads. Air Methods, Lifestar helicopter from Springfield Georgia responded within 18 minutes. Both Firefighter-Paramedics and the Flight Crew worked diligently to stabilize the teenager.

He went into cardiac arrest just before being loaded into the helicopter, so he was rapidly transported to Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro. The Air Methods Flight Crew rode in the ambulance and assisted with the patient care. CPR was continued enroute. Colleton Medical Center had a surgeon standing by in the Emergency Department. After evasive treatment in the ED, the patient was revived, however passed away later in the morning. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.  

Engine 10, Engine 15, Medic 18, Rescue 1, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Captain Mathew Owen Williams, Jr. served as Incident Commander.