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CONWAY, Horry County, S.C., Oct. 5, 2026 — Three people were taken to hospitals on Saturday afternoon, October 3, after a single-vehicle crash on SC-22 in Conway. The wreck blocked an eastbound lane just east of Hwy 701.
Horry County Fire Rescue said crews were dispatched to the scene at 2:55 p.m. Three occupants of the vehicle were transported for treatment, though the extent of their injuries has not been released.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. No information about what led to the vehicle leaving the roadway has been made public, and officials have not said whether any charges are expected.
Fire Rescue asked drivers to avoid the area while crews worked, citing both traffic delays and the safety of responders and medical personnel on scene. It remains unclear how long the lane closure lasted or when the roadway fully reopened.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
What Actually Reduces Single-Vehicle Roadway Crashes
Single-vehicle crashes usually start as something else entirely: a lane departure, a late brake, a driver reacting to another car, before the vehicle leaves the roadway on its own. Research on these crashes points less to one dramatic cause and more to the layout of the road itself: wide, forgiving shoulders, rumble strips along the centerline and edge line, and clear sightlines all give a driver more time to correct course before a crash becomes unavoidable.
Stretches like highway corridors that mix through traffic with intersecting routes concentrate risk because drivers are constantly adjusting speed and merging near cross streets. Signal timing that reduces abrupt stops, better lighting at interchanges, and medians or barriers that separate opposing or merging traffic all cut down on the split-second decisions that lead to a car running off the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 1,947,298 passenger-vehicle occupants were injured in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Engineering fixes such as wider clear zones and better delineation have shown measurable drops in run-off-road crashes in state studies, a reminder that road design works alongside driver attention, not instead of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common in car accidents like this one?
Single-vehicle crashes usually cause head and neck injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries from impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or side of the vehicle, depending on how and where the vehicle comes to rest.
What typically causes a single-vehicle crash?
Common factors include speeding, distraction, impaired driving, fatigue, and sudden maneuvers to avoid another hazard, though a cause is not confirmed until investigators complete their review.
How does speed affect how serious a crash is?
Higher speeds give drivers less time to react and increase the force of impact, which raises the likelihood of serious injury even in a crash involving just one vehicle.
Why is distracted driving considered so dangerous?
Taking eyes off the road for even a few seconds can mean missing a curve, a stopped vehicle, or a shift in road conditions, any of which can send a vehicle off its lane before the driver can correct.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Conway, South Carolina
If you're involved in a single-vehicle crash, move to a safe area if possible and call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation is worth getting, since some injuries like concussions or internal bruising aren't obvious right after a crash.
Take photos of the scene, the vehicle, and the roadway if you're able to safely do so, and get the names of any responding officers or agencies. Keep a copy of the incident report once it's available, and follow up with your doctor if symptoms like pain, dizziness, or stiffness appear in the days after the crash.
