News Summary
Beaufort County mourns the loss of two individuals following fatal crashes over the weekend. A pedestrian and a cyclist were killed in separate incidents that are under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The fatalities highlight ongoing concerns about safety for pedestrians and cyclists in the area. Local officials are urging for heightened awareness among drivers and are advocating for better safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Beaufort County, S.C. – A weekend of tragedy unfolded in Beaufort County as two devastating crashes resulted in the deaths of two individuals. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently investigating these incidents that occurred early Sunday morning and on Trask Parkway, respectively.
In the first incident, a pedestrian crash took place on Boundary Street near a Dollar General store. The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Rhonda Randall. Reports indicate that Randall sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene just after midnight at approximately 12:07 a.m. According to officials, Randall died from what has been described as “blunt force injuries” following the collision with a vehicle.
Shortly after this tragic event, another fatal crash occurred on Trask Parkway. This accident involved a car and a bicycle, resulting in the death of 50-year-old Vick Smalls, a resident of Beaufort. Smalls, too, suffered fatal injuries from blunt force trauma, and authorities confirmed his passing at the site of the collision which took place at 2780 Trask Parkway, in proximity to a Shell gas station and the Spanish Moss Trail. Like the previous incident, no injuries were reported for the driver involved.
As law enforcement continues to piece together the events surrounding both incidents, they are maintaining control over the ongoing investigations. In addition to these two crashes, there was another related incident on U.S. Highway 21 involving two SUVs that struck a pedestrian in the roadway. The identity of the pedestrian has not yet been disclosed, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol is actively looking into the circumstances of this crash as well.
The fatalities from these crashes highlight a growing concern regarding pedestrian and bicycle safety on the roadways in Beaufort County. Traffic safety advocates stress the importance of drivers being aware of their surroundings, specifically areas frequented by pedestrians and cyclists.
In 2022, South Carolina recorded several pedestrian and bicycle-related accidents, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and safety measures amongst drivers. These recent incidents serve as a reminder of the potential dangers present on the roads and the vulnerabilities faced by those traveling without the protection of a vehicle.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues its investigations across all three incidents, seeking to uncover more details regarding each case. They have yet to determine the causes of these crashes, but the focus remains on gathering evidence and speaking with witnesses to better understand the circumstances involved.
As the community mourns the loss of Rhonda Randall and Vick Smalls, local officials are imploring drivers to exercise patience and caution on the roads. They are also encouraging community members to advocate for safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists, emphasizing collective efforts to prevent further tragedies in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Tragic Drowning Incident at Hunting Island State Park
Tragic Traffic Collision Claims Life in Beaufort
Beaufort County Hit-and-Run Leaves Bicyclist Dead; Investigation Underway
Bicyclist Dies in Beaufort County Hit-and-Run Incident
Rising Concerns Over Traffic Safety Amid Multiple Fatal Accidents
Tragic Hit-and-Run Claims Life of Bicyclist in Beaufort
Ongoing Investigation Following Fatal Hit-and-Run In Beaufort
Pedestrian Fatality on U.S. Highway 21 in Beaufort County
Investigation Underway for Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Beaufort County
Additional Resources
- Live 5 News: One dead after Beaufort County pedestrian crash
- ABC News 4: Coroner IDs 50-year-old man who died in bike vs car crash
- MSN: Coroner IDs pedestrian killed in Sunday crash along Beaufort County roadway
- WTMA: Coroner IDs 50-year-old man who died in bike vs car crash in Beaufort County
- ABC News 4: Coroner IDs pedestrian killed in Sunday crash
- Wikipedia: Traffic safety
- Google Search: Beaufort County traffic safety
- Google Scholar: pedestrian safety South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: road safety
- Google News: Beaufort County Crashes
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
