Fiery Dump Truck Crash on Highway 22 Bridge in Horry County Kills Two
CONWAY, S.C. – A fiery crash involving a dump truck and three other vehicles on a South Carolina bridge left two people dead and another injured Wednesday afternoon, according to state troopers.
Crash on Highway 22 Bridge
The wreck occurred around 4:30 p.m. on August 20 on Highway 22, along the bridge spanning the Waccamaw River near Highway 905 in Horry County. Officials said the collision involved a dump truck, a Chevrolet SUV, a Jeep, and a GMC pickup truck.
According to investigators, the dump truck hit the SUV while it was stopped in traffic. The impact triggered a chain reaction, pushing the SUV into the Jeep and GMC pickup, both of which were also stopped.
Vehicles Catch Fire, Jeep Falls Into River
The collision caused both the dump truck and SUV to catch fire, sending thick black smoke into the air. Video from witnesses showed flames consuming the bridge.
The Jeep, struck from behind, was pushed off the bridge and fell into the Waccamaw River below. Emergency crews rushed to the scene as the fire spread across the wreckage.
Victims Identified
Authorities confirmed that Flora Beltran-Gomez, the driver of the SUV, and Earl Burnette, the driver of the Jeep, were both killed in the crash.
The driver of the GMC pickup was hospitalized with injuries, while the dump truck driver was not hurt.
Aftermath and Bridge Inspection
The South Carolina Department of Transportation dispatched inspectors to examine the structural integrity of the bridge following the crash. Officials have not announced whether repairs will be needed.
As of Thursday, it remains unclear if any charges will be filed in connection to the collision.
The fiery crash has left the Conway community reeling, as traffic along Highway 22 slowed for hours while crews worked to clear the wreckage and investigate the scene.
Readers in Horry County who witnessed the crash or want to share their experiences with Highway 22 traffic conditions are encouraged to join the discussion at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
