Incident # 25-06292 - Two people were critically injured and a third person received multiple injuries Monday morning 11-Aug when their passenger car struck a tree that fell across the highway. The accident occurred at 03:43. The southbound Mustang was traveling on a dark rural section of Cottageville Hwy. (US Hwy 17-A) near Merrick Dr. when it struck the tree. The large pine tree had fallen across the highway, blocking the entire road. The front occupants received the worst injuries. Fire-Rescue Medc 19 arrived and requested a second Fire-Rescue ambulance due to the number of patients and the severity of their injuries. All three patients were treated at the scene and transported emergent to the Trauma Center at HCA Trident Hospital in North Charleston. Cottageville Hwy was blocked for over an hour until SCDOT crews were able to remove the tree. The SC Highway Patrol is investigating the accident
Engine 9, Engine 19, Medic 9, Medic 19, Battalion 1 and Car 111 responded. Engineer-Paramedic Tony Keen served as Incident Commander.
