News Summary
Two significant accidents occurred on U.S. Highway 278 in Bluffton, SC, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. The first incident involved a Mini Cooper that veered off the road and caught fire, while the second involved a six-vehicle collision, leading to three injuries and another death. Traffic in both directions was severely impacted, prompting emergency services to assist with congestion and public safety as investigations continue.
Bluffton, SC – A tragic accident on U.S. Highway 278 near Squire Pope Road left one individual dead and multiple injuries reported early Saturday morning. The South Carolina Highway Patrol received a call regarding the incident at approximately 2:45 a.m. when a Mini Cooper veered off the road, collided with a tree, overturned, and subsequently caught fire.
The driver of the Mini Cooper has not yet been identified and was pronounced dead at the site of the accident. Investigation efforts are currently ongoing by the South Carolina Highway Patrol to determine the cause of this fatal crash.
On the same day, another significant accident occurred on U.S. Highway 278 near Rose Hill in Bluffton, involving a total of six vehicles. This second incident, which is unrelated to the first, saw three vehicles traveling west and three headed east. A total of ten individuals were involved in this crash, resulting in three people being transported to a local hospital due to varying degrees of injury. Additionally, one driver sustained fatal injuries, confirmed by the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office.
Both accidents prompted considerable traffic delays along U.S. Highway 278, affecting both eastbound and westbound lanes. Traffic camera footage revealed that some vehicles veered into a bike path following the collision, necessitating a swift response from emergency services. By 12:50 p.m., traffic backups had extended significantly, reaching as far as Hardeeville to the west and Bluffton town limits to the east. As a result of the severe congestion, the on-ramp from S.C. 170 onto Fording Island Road was also closed.
Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes, such as utilizing the southern section of Matthews Drive to connect to U.S. Highway 278. In a related incident, earlier traffic issues caused delays in the reopening of all eastbound lanes of U.S. Highway 278, which had temporarily closed due to a separate event involving a tow-behind car hauler that had turned onto its side.
The Beaufort County School District reported delays affecting school buses south of the Broad River due to the ongoing traffic issues. Emergency responders, including teams from Bluffton Fire and South Carolina Highway Patrol, remained on the scene, actively managing traffic and ensuring public safety.
These incidents reflect the ongoing challenge of road safety, as the community grapples with the impacts of such tragic events. As investigations proceed, further updates are anticipated regarding the causes and circumstances behind both accidents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Bluffton, SC: Tragic Bicycle Accident Claims Life of 10-Year-Old Boy
Vehicle Accident on Highway 278 Causes Traffic Delays on Hilton Head Island
Savannah Police Investigate Multiple Violent Incidents
High-Speed Police Pursuit Ends in Beaufort Crash
Tragic Early Morning Crash Claims Life on Hilton Head Island
Pedestrian Hospitalized Following Hit-and-Run Incident in Savannah
Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Traffic Accident Overview
- Wikipedia: Road Safety
- Island Packet: South Carolina News
- Google Search: Highway 278 Accidents
- WJCL: Mini Cooper Crash Report
- Google Scholar: Traffic Accidents
- WSAV: Highway 278 Traffic Delay
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Automobile Accidents
- WTOC: Deadly Crash in Beaufort County
- Google News: Beaufort County Traffic
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
