Dennis Ricks Obituary, Death – A South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper has died from injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 26 in Orangeburg County. Trooper First Class Dennis Ricks passed away Wednesday night, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS). The incident occurred early Sunday morning around 2 a.m., at mile marker 166 on I-26. Ricks was conducting a traffic stop when he was hit by a box truck.
Following the collision, Ricks suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital. His wife later shared that he had sustained a severe brain injury along with significant bleeding, swelling, kidney damage, and multiple broken bones. Despite medical efforts, his injuries proved fatal.
Ricks had been with the Highway Patrol for less than a year, graduating from SCHP Class 123 in September 2023. He served in Troop 7, covering Orangeburg and Calhoun counties. In a public statement, SCDPS described his death as a “devastating loss” for his family, colleagues, and the wider Highway Patrol and DPS community, offering condolences to his wife and loved ones.
Authorities have charged 45-year-old Anthony Aydlette of Hanahan in connection with the crash. He was arrested for driving under suspension, though officials have not confirmed whether additional charges will follow as the investigation continues.
The tragic incident has sparked an outpouring of grief and support for Ricks’ family from law enforcement agencies and the public.
