Orangeburg Co., SC (May 8, 2026) – A box truck driver died after a collision between a tractor-trailer and a box truck on Whetstone Rd near North Rd in Orangeburg County in the early morning hours of Friday, May 8, at approximately 2:45 a.m. Both drivers were the sole occupants of their vehicles.
A 2016 Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling north on Whetstone Rd when it struck a 2023 Mercedes-Benz box truck that was backing up eastbound at the intersection. The impact sent both drivers to the hospital.
The driver of the box truck later died from injuries sustained in the crash. The condition of the tractor-trailer driver has not been released.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the driver who lost their life.
What Are the Risks of Backing Maneuvers Involving Large Commercial Vehicles in South Carolina?
Backing maneuvers are among the most dangerous actions a commercial vehicle driver can perform, particularly on rural roads where visibility and space are limited. When a large box truck reverses at an intersection, other drivers approaching from different directions may have little time to react, especially in low-light or pre-dawn conditions. South Carolina’s rural road network includes many stretches where commercial vehicles must make difficult maneuvers without the benefit of dedicated loading areas or wide shoulders.
Crashes between two commercial vehicles tend to be severe due to the size and weight involved on both sides. A tractor-trailer traveling at road speed carries enormous momentum, and stopping distances are far greater than those of a standard passenger car. These factors make intersection collisions between large trucks especially likely to result in serious injury or death.
