FATALITY REPORT: DPS REPORTS SIX KILLED

ON SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAYS OCTOBER 4-6

COLUMBIA -- The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of six people killed on South Carolina highways from Friday, October 4, at 6 p.m. until Sunday, October 6, at midnight.

Three people died as a result of a head-on collision in Anderson County early Saturday evening. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the collision. One person was killed early Sunday morning in Orangeburg County when his vehicle ran off the road and overturned. A 15-year-old died when he was struck be a vehicle Saturday morning in Horry County and a motorcyclist died Friday night in Lancaster County when he lost control of his bike and struck a culvert.

As of October 6, 779 people had died on South Carolina highways, compared to 809 last year at this time. Of the 620 motor vehicle occupants who have died so far this year, 447 were not wearing seat belts.

Interstates	0
US routes, SC routes and secondary roads	6
Seat belt used	3
Seat belt not used	1
Seat belt usage not applicable	2 (pedestrian and motorcyclist)

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Criminal Justice Academy, Division of Motor Vehicles, Highway Patrol, Office of Highway Safety, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services and Office of Justice Programs. DPS has more than 2,600 employees in offices statewide. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.

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SG/125/2002