South Carolina Woman Airlifted After High-Speed Crash on Remote Rural Road; Troopers Investigating
WALTERBORO, SOUTH CAROLINA — A South Carolina woman suffered critical injuries Wednesday morning after a high-speed single-vehicle crash on a remote stretch of Combahee Road in Colleton County, according to emergency officials.
Driver Found Unresponsive After Car Strikes Tree
The crash was discovered around 10:24 a.m. when a passerby spotted a wrecked small sedan in the 6100 block of Combahee Road, a narrow, wooded route several miles outside Walterboro.
Authorities said the vehicle had left the roadway at a high rate of speed and collided with a tree, sustaining heavy front-end damage. The female driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was found unresponsive with multiple traumatic injuries.
“It appears she lost control on a straight portion of the road and struck a large pine tree head-on,” said Capt. K.C. Campbell with Colleton County Fire-Rescue.
Emergency Response and Airlift
Firefighter-paramedics immediately began treatment at the scene, stabilizing the woman before transporting her by ambulance to a nearby field, where a C.A.R.E. Flight helicopter landed to airlift her to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Trauma Center in Charleston.
Responding units included Engine 13, Medic 13, Battalion 1, and Car 112, with Capt. Campbell serving as incident commander.
Photos from the scene showed the heavily damaged vehicle off the side of the road, surrounded by first responders and debris from the impact.
Highway Patrol Launches Investigation
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash to determine what caused the driver to lose control.
Investigators are reviewing speed, road conditions, and possible driver impairment, though officials have not released any indication of alcohol or distracted driving at this stage.
Road Conditions and Safety Concerns
Combahee Road, located south of Walterboro, is a two-lane rural road known for its limited shoulders and sharp drop-offs into wooded areas. Residents say the stretch has been the site of multiple accidents over the years.
“That road is dark, narrow, and has no lights,” said a nearby resident who heard the helicopter overhead. “It’s easy to lose control if you’re going too fast.”
Officials are reminding drivers to slow down on rural roads, especially during early morning and late evening hours when visibility and traction are reduced.
Victim’s Condition
As of Thursday morning, no update had been released on the woman’s condition. Authorities said she remains in critical care at MUSC. Her identity has not been made public pending family notification.
The crash marks one of several serious wrecks in Colleton County this month, prompting renewed calls for speed enforcement and roadway improvements in the area.
Do you think South Carolina should increase patrols and install warning signs on dangerous rural roads like Combahee Road? Share your thoughts and join the discussion at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
