24/November/2013 – High Speed MVC – “C” Shift

Incident # 13-06406 - A 48 year old Savannah woman survived a high speed MVC on I-95 near the 41 mile marker northbound. The woman reported that she may have fallen asleep before leaving the roadway Sunday afternoon 24-November at 15:20. Her Ford Expedition SUV struck the guard taking out approximately 50 to 75 of the safety device, before flipping over multiple times. The SUV landed upright on the bridge blocking northbound traffic and caught fire. The woman who was wearing a seatbelt, was dazed after the collision and could not get out of the burning vehicle. A Good Samaritan, described only as a man wearing a white shirt, was able to force the driver’s door open and dragged the woman out of the burning SUV. Colleton Fire-Rescue units from the new station in Jonesville Station arrived a short time later, but were delayed reaching the scene, due to the stopped traffic on the Interstate. The SUV was fully involved when Engine 13 reached the scene. Firefighter-Paramedics began treating the woman for her injuries, while other crewmembers extinguished the fire. Northbound traffic was backed up for several miles until the vehicle could be removed from the roadway. Fortunately her injuries were relatively minor and she denied ambulance transportation to the hospital. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Five other vehicles collided about ¼ south of this accident adding to the congestion on the highway. The second accident involved a tractor trailer, a U-Haul Cube-Van and three cars, which also blocked both lanes of the highway. No one was injured in the second accident.

Engine 13, Tender 1, Medic 13 and Car 12 responded. Firefighter-Paramedic Justin Warko served as Incident Commander.