News Summary
Allen Szczepek, a 68-year-old motorcyclist from Beaufort, tragically lost his life in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 21. The incident emphasizes the rising safety concerns on one of the most dangerous roadways in the region. Emergency responders found him critically injured and he later died at the hospital. This accident marks the eighth highway fatality in Beaufort County this year, further highlighting the need for improved road safety measures and awareness.
Beaufort, SC – Allen Szczepek, a 68-year-old motorcyclist from Beaufort, tragically died following a single-vehicle crash on Thursday, June 12, at approximately 4:30 p.m. The incident took place on U.S. 21 (Trask Parkway), near the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, highlighting ongoing safety concerns on one of the most hazardous roadways in the region.
Szczepek was riding his 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound when he lost control of the vehicle. According to preliminary reports from the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP), the motorcycle veered off the highway into the right-hand shoulder at the intersection of Glass Road, approximately 1.5 miles north of the main entrance to MCAS Beaufort.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene where they found Szczepek lying critically injured on the shoulder of the road. He was immediately transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:20 p.m. Chief Deputy Coroner Shane Bowers confirmed that Szczepek’s death resulted from blunt force trauma sustained during the crash. At the time of his passing, he was awaiting an airlift to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
The SCHP is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, which is the eighth highway fatality recorded in Beaufort County so far in 2024. This incident also contributes to a troubling total of 26 traffic-related fatalities in the county this year, including six motorcyclist deaths. Other recent fatalities have involved a 10-year-old boy and a driver of a Mini Cooper, among various other traffic incidents that resulted in death.
U.S. 21 is notably known for its high rate of accidents based on collision statistics from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, raising concerns about road safety and the need for enhanced measures to protect motorists. The recent series of tragedies illustrates the dangers prevalent on this roadway and brings into focus the need for increased awareness and improved infrastructure to prevent future accidents.
As of Monday afternoon, no obituary or funeral arrangements for Allen Szczepek have been publicly shared. He is remembered within the community, and his untimely death adds to the ongoing discourse surrounding motorcycle safety and traffic regulations in Beaufort County.
The investigation into the crash remains active, and authorities are working to gather any additional information that may help shed light on the factors contributing to this unfortunate event.
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Additional Resources
- MSN News
- Wikipedia: Motorcycle Safety
- Live 5 News
- Google Search: Beaufort County Motorcycle Crash
- ABC News 4
- Google Scholar: Traffic Safety Beaufort County
- Island Packet
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Accidents
- WTOC
- Google News: Beaufort County Motorcycle Accident
- Post and Courier
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.
