ABBEVILLE, Abbeville County, S.C., Nov. 1, 2026 — One driver died and a passenger was airlifted to a hospital after an SUV ran off a road and struck a tree on Halloween night, Saturday, October 31, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The single-vehicle crash happened at about 11:25 p.m. on S.C. 201 in Abbeville County, Lt. Tyler Tidwell said. A 2005 Toyota 4Runner was heading south when it left the left side of the roadway and hit a tree. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger was flown to a hospital in Greenville; further details on that person's condition have not been released.
The Abbeville County Coroner's Office has not yet identified the driver. It is not known whether either occupant was wearing a seat belt, and investigators have not said what caused the SUV to leave the road. It is unclear whether the Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
More on Crashes in Abbeville, SC
This fatal crash happened in Abbeville, SC. We cover crashes across Abbeville County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Abbeville County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do fatal single-vehicle crashes like this tend to happen?
They commonly occur on rural highways and secondary roads, where higher speeds and limited lighting give drivers less time to react if a vehicle drifts off the pavement.
What factors make a crash more likely to be fatal?
Higher speeds, a vehicle striking a fixed object such as a tree or pole, and occupants not wearing seat belts all raise the chances that a crash will be deadly.
Why does seat belt use matter so much in crashes like this?
A seat belt keeps occupants from being thrown from their seats or ejected during a rollover or impact, which lowers the risk of fatal injury considerably.
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