LEXINGTON, Lexington County, SC, Sept. 21, 2026 — One person died and three others were hurt Sunday morning, September 20, when a four-vehicle crash shut down part of US 378 in Lexington County. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the wreck happened near Tom Drafts Circle.
Troopers said the crash occurred around 11:34 a.m. when a Ford Fusion traveling east on US 378 reportedly crossed the center line and struck three vehicles heading west. The passenger of the Ford Fusion died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to the Highway Patrol.
The drivers of the other three vehicles were taken to a local hospital, troopers said. Their conditions have not been released.
The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. No charges have been announced.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Why May Head-On Crossovers Turn Into Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups?
A single vehicle drifting across the center line can turn a two-lane highway into a chain-reaction scene in seconds. Once one car crosses into oncoming traffic, drivers behind it have almost no room to react, and the vehicles that swerve or brake hard become obstacles themselves. That is how one crossover event can involve three, four, or more vehicles before anyone has time to stop.
Distraction, fatigue, and medical emergencies are common reasons a driver drifts out of a lane, though a cause is not always confirmed right away. On busy highways like US 378, the second and third vehicles caught in a crash have no warning at all. Drivers who stop or slow near the first impact can be struck again by traffic still arriving from behind, and that risk extends to responders and bystanders who reach the scene before it is fully secured.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That figure includes people struck while out of their cars after an initial collision, a reminder that the danger at a crash scene does not end once the vehicles stop moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does poor visibility contribute to multi-vehicle crashes?
Fog, glare, rain, or darkness cut down the time drivers have to see a hazard and react. On highways with higher speeds, even a small delay in braking can turn a single crash into a chain-reaction one involving several vehicles.
Why does following distance matter so much on highways?
A safe following distance gives a driver time to brake or steer around trouble ahead. When vehicles follow too closely at highway speed, there is no room left to avoid a car that has already stopped or crashed.
Are secondary crashes common after an initial wreck?
Yes. Traffic approaching a crash scene, especially on a highway, doesn't see stopped or slowed vehicles in time. That is why responders work quickly to warn oncoming drivers and close lanes near a wreck.
What makes a four-vehicle crash harder to investigate?
Investigators have to piece together the sequence of impacts, interview multiple drivers and witnesses, and rely on physical evidence like skid marks and vehicle damage to determine which vehicle caused the initial collision.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Lexington, SC
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash, try to move to a safe spot away from traffic if your vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so. Turn on hazard lights and call 911 right away, even if injuries aren't immediately obvious.
Let paramedics evaluate everyone at the scene, since some injuries from a multi-vehicle impact don't show symptoms right away. Get the responding agency's report number and, when possible, note which vehicles were involved and in what order the impacts happened. That information can matter later, even if it feels unnecessary in the moment.
Give yourself time to process what happened. A crash involving several vehicles can be disorienting, and it's normal to need support, whether from family, a doctor, or someone who has been through something similar.
