22/May/2018 – High Speed MVC – “A” Shift

Incident # 18-03600 – 9-1-1 was notified of a person walking on Interstate 95 covered in blood Tuesday morning 22-May. A State Trooper located the man around the 56 mile marker and requested Fire-Rescue to respond at 03:56. The man advised the Trooper that he had been involved in an auto accident and a woman was unconscious. He was walking to an exit to get help. The Trooper drove with the man north on I-95 in search of the accident. He found the car in the wooded median at the 55 mile marker on the southbound side of the highway. The car was not visible from the highway due to the underbrush. Fire-Rescue units arrived minutes later. The Pontiac Solstice had left the roadway at a high rate of speed and slide sideways into a large pine tree. The driver noted he was trying to avoid a large piece of tire tread in the highway. The tree impacted on the passenger side of the car causing extensive damage and about 1-1/2 feet of intrusion into the passenger space. Firefighter-Paramedics found the unconscious female trapped in the wreckage. She was wearing a seatbelt and was in critical condition, suffering from multiple traumatic injuries. Crews deployed Holmatro Rescue Tools, but were able to free the woman with hand tools. A second ambulance and a medical helicopter were requested. Due to heavy fog in the area, the helicopters were grounded. The female patient was quickly treated at the scene, immobilized and moved to Fire-Rescue Medic 26. Medic 1 arrived a short time later and took over patient care of the male patient. He too was seriously injured and suffered multiple traumatic injuries. Both patients were transported emergent directly to the Trauma Center at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston. The woman’s condition deteriorated enroute to the Trauma Center.  The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.  

Engine 26, Medic 1, Medic 26, Battalion 1 and Car 112 responded. Battalion Chief Scott O’Quinn served as Incident Commander.