Tragic Crash Kills Teen and Toddler in Spartanburg County, South Carolina (SC)

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC- Wmbfnews.com writes that a crash that killed a teenage driver also caused the death of a toddler days after the wreck. The eighteen-month-old child passed away at the Greenville Memorial Hospital this week.*

The collision occurred when the teenage driver was traveling on Chesnee Highway close to Barnwell Road in a 2007 Toyota. Three children, including the toddler, a nine-year-old, and an eight-year-old, were in the Toyota at the time. For unknown reasons, the Toyota entered oncoming traffic and struck a 2013 BMW head-on. 

The teen driving the Toyota died at the scene of the crash. The children were all injured as well as the driver of the BMW. Reports did not include information regarding the names of the surviving victims. 

Head-on collisions are often at least partially the result of poorly designed roadways. Studies have indicated that roads that have no median or barrier should have lower speed limits as these roadways present the risk of a head-on collision even if a driver simply loses focus for a moment. According to Vision Zero studies, roads that have no barrier should prevent drivers from traveling above 43 miles an hour. At 43-miles-per-hour, the chances of a fatality resulting from a head-on collision are quite high. 

Still, there are many places where two-lane roads are undivided and yet have posted speed limits of 50 miles per hour or higher. Sadly, these roads create severe risks to drivers and passengers. Of course, with the high number of motorists who speed, even roads with 40-mile-an-hour speed limits likely have many cars traveling at 43 miles per hour or higher. If a crash seems imminent, your best bet is to slow down.

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Sources:

https://www.wmbfnews.com/2020/04/24/sc-toddler-dies-two-days-after-crash-that-killed-teen-driver-injured-three-others/

https://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/how-to-survive-a-head-on-collision-slow-down-to-below-43mph/