29/July/2018 – Fatal MVC – “A” Shift

Incident # 18-05225 – One person died from multiple traumatic injuries in a single vehicle MVC on the south bound entrance to I-95 at Exit 42 Sunday morning 29-July at 11:45. Callers to 9-1-1 reported the vehicle down an embankment with people trapped inside. Medic 13 arrived minutes later to find a Land Rover down the embankment off of the entrance ramp lying on its side at the tree line. A 33 yr old female was ambulatory at the scene and the 63 yr old driver was still seat belted in the driver’s seat. An adult female, unrestrained rear passenger, had been partially ejected and the car rolled over on her. Firefighter-Paramedics worked to remove her from under the car and determined she had no signs of life. They requested additional units and worked to extricated the driver, who was in critical condition with multiple traumatic injuries. He was removed from the vehicle with spinal precautions and carried up the embankment. The 33 yr old female was also immobilized and placed in Fire-Rescue Medic 13. A medical helicopter was requested but turned down the flight due to poor weather conditions in Charleston and Savannah, the location of the closest Trauma Centers. Both patients were transported emergent in Medic 13 to the Trauma Center at MUSC in Charleston. Additional Firefighter-Paramedics assisted with the patient care during the transport to Charleston. The Coroner’s Office was notified for the third patient. The 33 yr old female, the daughter of the deceased, advised their vehicle experienced problems with the brakes.

She advised her father attempted to exit the Interstate but was unable to stop the vehicle. The car crossed Lowcountry Hwy. (US Hwy 21) and entered the southbound on ramp to I-95, but went off the edge of the road. The car became airborne and went down the approx. 15 foot embankment striking the ground and rolling over. The car then struck several trees ejecting the rear passenger and coming to rest on the passenger’s side. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

Engine 1, Medic 1, Medic 13, Rescue 1, Battalion 1 and Car 112 responded. Battalion Chief Scott O’Quinn served as Incident Commander.