Two Colleton County (SC) residents died following a head-on collision in the 1700 block of Jefferies Highway (US Hwy 15) just north of Wintergreen Road early Sunday morning 11-September at 02:07. A Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Geo Metro struck head-on at a high rate of speed on a straight portion of roadway causing extensive damage to both vehicles and trapping all three occupants.
Fire-Rescue Medic 19 arrived to find Jefferies Highway blocked by the wreckage. The unrestrained occupants of the Geo were heavily entrapped and had no signs of life. The unrestrained driver of the Jeep suffered multiple traumatic injuries. Colleton County Firefighter-Paramedics used Holmatro rescue tools to remove the driver’s side door on the Jeep to gain access to the driver. He was treated during the extrication, then transported by Medic 19 to the trauma center at Trident Medical in Summerville.
After the Coroner’s Office conducted their investigation, firefighter-paramedics used Holmatro rescue tools to remove the roof and doors on the Geo to access the patients. A hydraulic ram was used to displace the dash off of one victim to allow for the person to be extricated from the car. The Coroner’s Office transported both victims to Colleton Medical Center. Traffic in the area of the accident was detoured for five hours until the SC Highway Patrol completed their investigation.
Engine 19, Engine 26, Medic 19, Medic 26, Rescue 1, Battalion 1 and Car 12 responded. Captain Justin Warko served as Incident Commander.
Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief, Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Barry W. McRoy photo
Barry W. McRoy photo
Barry W. McRoy photo
Barry W. McRoy photo