DILLON, Dillon County, S.C., Oct. 18, 2026 — One person died and another was hurt early Saturday morning, October 17, when a truck ran off Arnette Road and hit a tree in Dillon County, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The truck was headed north on Arnette Road around 2:40 a.m. when it left the roadway and struck a tree, troopers said. Two people were inside at the time.
One occupant died at the scene. The other was taken to a local hospital with injuries that have not been detailed publicly.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is still investigating what led the truck to leave the road. No further information, including the names of those involved, has been released.
Our sympathies are with the family of the person who lost their life.
More on Crashes in Dillon, SC
This fatal crash happened on Arnette Road in Dillon, SC. We cover crashes across Dillon County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Dillon County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do fatal crashes most often happen?
A large share occur on rural roads, particularly at night, where higher speeds, fewer lights and narrow shoulders give drivers less room to correct if a vehicle drifts off the pavement.
What makes a crash more likely to be fatal?
Speed, road conditions, time of day and whether occupants are belted all play a role. Single-vehicle crashes involving a fixed object, like a tree or pole, tend to carry a higher risk of serious injury than crashes with more room to slow down.
Why does speed matter so much for survival?
Higher speed means more force at impact and less time for a driver to react or for safety systems like airbags and crumple zones to do their job. Even a modest reduction in speed can change the outcome of a crash.
Why does wearing a seat belt matter so much?
A seat belt keeps an occupant positioned where airbags and the vehicle structure are designed to protect them, and it prevents being thrown from the seat or the vehicle during a rollover or sudden impact.
What to Do After a Truck Crash in Dillon, SC
If you're involved in a single-vehicle crash like this one, stay as still as possible and call 911 right away, even if injuries aren't immediately obvious. Adrenaline can mask pain for hours. Let responding troopers document the scene and get checked out by medical staff before heading home. If you're a passenger or witness, try to write down what you remember as soon as you can, including the time, direction of travel and road conditions, while the details are still fresh. Reach out to loved ones and give yourself time to process what happened; recovering from a serious crash is both physical and emotional.
