Incident #24-03162 - Interstate 95 SB at the Combahee River was closed for an hour following a high speed MVC involving a semi-truck that struck a tree. The accident occurred Monday afternoon 22-April at 16:04 near the 40 mile marker southbound. It was originally reported in Colleton County at the 43 mile marker, but was actually just south of the Colleton/Hampton County line (Combahee River) near the 40 mile marker in Hampton County. Hampton County Fire units requested mutual aid for the extrication. The Freightliner truck, pulling a 53' trailer loaded with fiberglass, left the roadway at a high rate of speed, went down the embankment and struck a large pine tree in the median. The truck and trailer suffered massive damage, with the 53' trailer breaking apart and the load of fiberglass being expelled into the wooded median. The cab wrapped around the tree resulting in the unrestrained driver being heavily entrapped approximately10 feet off the ground. Firefighter-Paramedics used a variety of Holmatro Rescue Tools and a reciprocating saw to gain access to the driver, who had miraculously survived the collision. He was unconscious and in critical condition. The CARE Flight medical helicopter was requested and performed a scene landing on I-95 at the accident site. The extrication took approximately 15 minutes. Using a ladder for support, the driver was extricated on a spine board and stokes basket, then brought to the ground. He was moved to the Hampton County EMS unit and transported to the helicopter. The patient required advanced airway care prior to departing the scene. CARE Flight flew the man to the Trauma Center at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston. After the helicopter left, one lane of I-95 was reopened. The SC Highway Patrol and Transport Police are investigating the accident.
