Hardeeville, SC (March 11, 2026) – Authorities have identified the driver who died in a collision involving a dump truck on Friday morning, March 6, in Hardeeville. The Jasper County Coroner’s Office confirmed the victim was 22-year-old Ridgeland resident Francisco Garcia Bonilla.
The crash occurred around 6:55 a.m. along US 321 near the intersection with Old Charleston Hwy. According to early reports, Bonilla was driving a 2016 Chevrolet pickup truck southbound on the highway.
Investigators said the pickup was attempting to pass other vehicles on the one-lane roadway when it collided with an oncoming 1998 dump truck. After the impact, the Chevrolet left the right side of the roadway and overturned.
Emergency units responded to the crash site, where Bonilla was pronounced dead at the scene. The dump truck driver’s condition was not immediately released.
The collision led to the closure of US 321 for several hours while crews worked at the scene. Traffic backed up north of Hardeeville during the morning commute as responders cleared the roadway.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Why Passing on Two-Lane Highways Can Be Risky
Passing on two-lane highways can present several dangers, especially when visibility is limited or traffic is steady. These roads often carry vehicles traveling in opposite directions with only a center line separating them, leaving little margin for error when a driver moves into the opposing lane to pass.
Drivers must judge both distance and speed quickly. If an approaching vehicle is closer than expected, there may not be enough time to safely return to the correct lane. Curves, hills, and roadside obstacles can further reduce visibility of oncoming traffic.
Large vehicles such as dump trucks also require longer distances to slow down or stop. When a smaller vehicle enters the opposite lane to pass, the space available for both drivers to react is much reduced, increasing the risk of a serious crash on narrow rural highways.
