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Tragic Accidents on U.S. Highway 278 in Bluffton, SC

Emergency responders at the scene of car accidents on U.S. Highway 278 in Bluffton SC.

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.