Aiken, SC (May 2, 2026) – One woman died and another person was seriously injured following a head-on crash on Friday afternoon, May 1, in Aiken.
The collision happened around 4 p.m. at the intersection of Whiskey Road and Ping Way. According to reports, a Kia SUV attempted to turn into a private driveway when it collided head-on with a Ford pickup truck.
Emergency units responded to the scene. The driver of the SUV, identified by the Aiken County Coroner’s Office as 46-year-old Carla Garvin, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the pickup truck was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. No additional details about the driver’s condition have been released.
The crash remains under investigation by authorities.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Carla Garvin, and we are thinking of the injured driver as they receive medical care.
How Left-Turn and Driveway Entry Crashes Can Become Severe
Crashes involving vehicles turning into private driveways or side roads often lead to serious head-on impacts when oncoming traffic is not fully clear. These types of collisions frequently occur on busy roadways where traffic speeds are higher, and gaps between vehicles can be difficult to judge.
When a turning vehicle crosses into the path of an oncoming pickup or SUV, the resulting impact can be severe because of the combined speed of both vehicles. Larger vehicles like pickup trucks can also increase the force of impact during a collision.
Investigators typically examine sight distance, turn timing, and vehicle positioning to understand how these crashes occur. Road layout and traffic flow patterns are also reviewed to determine contributing factors.
