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Ladson, SC (September 11, 2026) – A Charleston County sheriff’s deputy died on Wednesday, September 9, after a head-on crash involving a tractor-trailer on Ladson Road, according to authorities. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 11:45 a.m. near Industrial Center Drive.
State troopers said a tractor-trailer was traveling east on Ladson Road when it collided with a pickup truck heading west. The pickup was registered to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and was reportedly being driven by the deputy at the time, authorities said.
According to the authorities, the truck driver ended up injured and was taken to a hospital, while the deputy died from injuries suffered in the crash. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office identified him as Deputy Michael Hendricks, 33, and said he was on duty when the crash happened.
Ladson Road was closed between Highway 78 and Lincolnville Road for several hours while crews worked the scene, according to authorities. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash remains under investigation.
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.
How Investigators Piece Together a Fatal Head-on Crash
Work at the scene of a fatal head-on crash usually starts before the wreckage is even cleared. Troopers measure skid marks, photograph vehicle positions, and document road conditions and any debris field. That physical evidence forms the basis for a reconstruction estimating speed, the point of impact, and how each vehicle moved before and after the collision.
Names are typically withheld until next of kin have been notified in person, a step agencies treat as essential regardless of how much public interest a crash draws. That notification can take hours, especially if family members live out of the area or are hard to reach.
A full crash report often is not finished for weeks. Toxicology results, when samples are collected, can take even longer to come back from a lab. Investigators say they would rather deliver a complete and accurate account than a fast one, which is part of why families are asked to wait for official findings rather than early or partial details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most head-on crashes happen?
They are more common on two-lane undivided roads, where there is no barrier separating opposing traffic and drivers rely on lane markings and reaction time alone.
What role does passing play in head-on crashes?
Attempting to pass on a two-lane road is a frequent factor, since it puts a vehicle directly into the opposing lane for several seconds at highway speed.
How do median barriers help prevent head-on crashes?
Physical barriers, such as cable or concrete median dividers, are designed to stop a vehicle from crossing into oncoming lanes after a driver drifts, brakes hard, or loses control.
What should I do if a car drifts into my lane?
Slow down, move right toward the shoulder if possible, and avoid swerving sharply left, which can put you into another lane of traffic.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,979 passenger-car occupants were killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger car and a light truck in 2023.
What to Do After a Head-on Crash in Ladson, SC
If you are involved in a head-on crash, call 911 right away and stay as still as possible until emergency responders arrive, even if you feel unhurt. Adrenaline can mask injuries, so a medical evaluation afterward is worth doing even when nothing seems broken.
Get contact information for any witnesses and, if you’re able, take photos of the vehicles and the road before anything is moved. Keep a copy of the police report once it becomes available, and follow up with your doctor if new pain or symptoms appear in the days that follow. Ladson residents dealing with the aftermath of a serious crash should also lean on family, coworkers, or local support resources rather than trying to manage everything alone.
