Tow Truck Involved in Fatal Accident - 06.27.23 (SC)

[TowForce]

One driver was killed and another was hospitalized Tuesday following a crash between an 18-wheel tractor-trailer and a tow truck, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.

 

The two-vehicle collision happened at about 3:10 p.m. in Lexington County, according to Lance Cpl. Nick Pye.

 

Walter Elliott Wilkins, a 63-year-old Augusta, Georgia resident died in the accident, said Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.

 

Wilkins was driving the tractor trailer west on U.S. 178/Fairview Road, according to Pye. At the intersection with Bub Shumpert Road, the semi collided with a 2022 Ram tow truck that was heading north and turning left onto Fairview Road, officials said. That’s in the Pelion area.

 

Wilkins, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene, Fisher said.

 

The tow truck driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital, according to Fisher. Further information on the tow truck driver’s condition was not available.

 

There was no word if the tow truck driver was wearing a seat belt.

 

No other injuries were reported.

 

The collision continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol and coroner’s office.

 

Through Sunday, 471 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,091 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

 

At least 22 people have died in Lexington County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 43 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.

 

This was the third consecutive day a fatal crash was reported in Lexington County, and the fourth in the past six days.

 

On June 21, the driver of a BMW was killed when the vehicle that was driving west in the eastbound lanes on Interstate 20 collided with a Ford pickup truck, according to the Highway Patrol. The pickup driver was hurt and taken to an area hospital, but further information on their condition was not available.

 

On Monday, a Lexington County resident died when the car he was driving ran off a road hit an embankment and a tree before flipping over and crashing into another tree, officials said.

 

On Tuesday, a Lexington woman died when the SUV she was driving veered off a road then crashed into a fence and a tree before flipping over, according to officials.

 

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