COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Newly released photos show the grisly scene of a head-on crash that killed four people, including an 8 and a 16-year-old, just south of Walterboro on South Carolina Highway 303 Monday night.
According to official reports, a Volkswagen Jetta and a Dodge Caravan collided head-on, causing extensive damage and blocking both lanes of the rural highway. Three unrestrained occupants were in the Jetta, and the male driver of the Caravan was also trapped in the wreckage. Both vehicles caught fire before emergency crews arrived, according to the Colleton County Fire-Rescue.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue units reached the scene eight minutes later to find two bystanders pulling an unconscious 8-year-old boy from the burning Jetta. The Caravan was fully engulfed in flames in the center of the road, officials said. Firefighters used a handline to extinguish the Jetta’s fire before beginning treatment for the remaining occupants, then turned their attention to the minivan.
Crews used Holmatro Rescue Tools to reach the victims inside the Jetta. A 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple traumatic injuries. The 8-year-old boy also suffered multiple injuries and showed no signs of life.
The adult female driver of the Jetta was found semi-conscious and in critical condition. Firefighter-paramedics treated her at the scene, administering two units of whole blood. A medical helicopter was requested and landed nearby, but as the woman was being prepared for flight, she went into cardiac arrest. Despite resuscitation efforts, she was pronounced dead after being taken to HCA Colleton Hospital in Walterboro, officials said.
The driver of the Caravan was also found deceased in the burned vehicle. Two dogs in the van were killed as well and later buried near the wood line at the crash site.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
First responders arrive at the scene of a head-on crash along South Carolina Highway 303, where 4 people died, including an 8-year-old and a 16-year-old.
