News Summary
A serious six-vehicle collision on U.S. 278 resulted in one fatality and left three others injured. The accident involved multiple vehicles and caused significant traffic disruptions. Emergency services responded, and an ongoing investigation is underway as the community comes to terms with the aftermath.
Bluffton – A serious six-vehicle collision on U.S. 278 resulted in one fatality and left three others injured on Monday afternoon. The accident took place around 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 278 and White Oak Circle, leading to significant traffic disturbances in the area.
The crash involved three westbound vehicles: a 2019 Ford pickup truck, a 2015 Lexus sedan, and a 2017 Toyota pickup truck. The eastbound vehicles included a 2019 Nissan sedan, a 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck, and a 2024 Toyota van. The sequence of events began when the Ford pickup truck collided with both the Lexus sedan and the Toyota pickup truck. This initial impact caused the Ford to cross into oncoming traffic, subsequently striking the Nissan sedan and the Chevrolet pickup truck.
Tragically, the driver of the Chevrolet pickup truck suffered fatal injuries and was the sole occupant of that vehicle. Emergency medical services responded promptly, transporting three individuals to a local hospital, which included the driver and a passenger from the Ford pickup truck, as well as the driver of the Nissan sedan.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed several injuries and the fatality resulting from this incident. Trooper Nick Pye provided updates on the investigation, which remains ongoing, with an initial report incorrectly stating that five vehicles were involved in the accident. This was later corrected to confirm that a total of six vehicles were engaged in the collision.
Following the accident, the Beaufort County Coroner, Debbie Youmans, arrived at the scene to officially confirm the death. The crash caused extensive traffic delays on U.S. 278, impacting routes for the Beaufort County School District, particularly for buses operating south of the Broad River. Eastbound traffic on U.S. 278 near Rose Hill was eventually reopened to commuters after 5 p.m. on the same day.
Emergency response teams from the Bluffton Fire District and Emergency Medical Services were actively involved in managing the scene and assisting the injured parties. Complicating the situation, a secondary crash occurred at the intersection of Bluffton Parkway and Trotting Hill Lane, caused by congestion from the initial collision. This secondary incident was cleared by 2 p.m., allowing for the flow of traffic to resume.
With the investigation still underway, authorities are working diligently to piece together the circumstances that led to this tragic crash. As the community comes to terms with the loss and the injuries sustained, officials encourage drivers to remain vigilant and cautious while on the road, particularly in busy intersections like U.S. 278 and White Oak Circle.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
One Dead, Three Injured in Six-Vehicle Crash in Bluffton
Driver Rescued After Collision in Heavy Rain
Traffic Safety Improvements at Beaufort County Intersection
Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Wikipedia: Traffic Accidents
- WSAV
- Google Search: Bluffton accidents
- Bluffton Today
- Google Scholar: Traffic accidents South Carolina
- Live 5 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- WJCL
- Google News: Bluffton traffic news
- WSAV – Highway 278 Accident
