Clarendon County, SC (July 1, 2026) – One person died, and another was hurt in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 northbound at the 132-mile marker early on Monday morning, June 29. The wreck happened at approximately 12:36 a.m.
A 2026 Subaru Outback was traveling north on I-95 when it left the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. The driver died at the scene. A passenger was hurt and taken to a local hospital for treatment.
No further details about the extent of the passenger’s injuries or the identities of those involved were included in the initial report on the accident.
The collision remains under active investigation. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the driver who lost their life.
What Happens After a Single-Vehicle Crash on an Interstate?
Single-vehicle crashes on interstates often prompt investigators to examine factors such as driver fatigue, distraction, and vehicle condition. Late-night and early-morning hours are when driver fatigue is most common, and a vehicle drifting off the road without an obvious external cause can point investigators toward that possibility. Physical evidence on the roadway, such as the absence of skid marks, can help support or rule out various causes.
Striking a fixed object like a tree after leaving the roadway significantly increases the severity of a crash compared to simply running off onto a soft shoulder. Trees and other rigid objects do not absorb impact energy the way crumple zones and guardrails are designed to, so the full force of the collision is transferred directly into the vehicle. This is one reason off-road crashes involving trees frequently result in serious or fatal injuries.
When a crash involves both a fatality and a surviving passenger, investigators often gather a detailed account from the person who survived. That account can provide important context about what was happening inside the vehicle in the moments before it left the road, helping fill in gaps that physical evidence alone cannot answer.
