Cowpens, SC (July 3, 2026) – A 21-year-old Gaffney man died on Thursday morning, July 2, following a crash between a motorcycle and an 18-wheeler at the intersection of Highway 110 and Dewberry Road in Cowpens. The collision occurred on July 2.
The victim has been identified as Brandon Luke Shiflett of Twin Bridge Road in Gaffney. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A forensic examination was scheduled for Friday as part of the ongoing review.
No further details about the circumstances leading up to the wreck or the condition of the 18-wheeler’s driver were included in the initial report on the accident.
The crash remains under active investigation. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Brandon Luke Shiflett.
What Happens After a Fatal Motorcycle and 18-Wheeler Crash?
Crashes between motorcycles and large commercial vehicles, such as 18-wheelers, are among the deadliest types of collisions on American roads. The extreme difference in size and weight leaves the motorcycle rider with virtually no structural protection, and the force involved in even a moderate-speed impact can be fatal. Intersections where smaller roads meet highways are a particularly common setting for these crashes, since turning and merging movements create conflict points between very different vehicle types.
A forensic examination, sometimes called an autopsy, is typically ordered when a person dies as a result of a crash. This process helps confirm the official cause of death and can provide additional detail about the injuries the person sustained. Those findings become part of the broader investigative record and may be used by the highway patrol and coroner’s office as the case develops.
Investigators reviewing a crash at a highway intersection examine which vehicle had the right of way, the speed of both vehicles, and whether any traffic control devices were present. Physical evidence from both the motorcycle and the commercial truck, along with witness accounts, helps establish a clear picture of how the collision unfolded.
