FLORENCE, S.C. – A deadly crash involving three vehicles in Florence County on Monday evening has left one driver dead and two others hospitalized. The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) confirmed the accident occurred on U.S. Highway 378, also known as West Main Street, shortly before 8 p.m.
Authorities reported that the crash unfolded around 7:45 p.m. near the intersection with Katelyn Drive, a stretch of road that serves as a main thoroughfare for both local and commuter traffic. Initial findings from SCHP revealed that the collision began when a Toyota sedan traveling westbound veered across the center line into oncoming traffic.
The Toyota collided head-on with an eastbound Ford pickup truck. The force of the impact was so severe that a Volkswagen sedan, which had been traveling directly behind the Ford, was unable to stop in time and slammed into the rear of the pickup. The chain-reaction crash left all three vehicles heavily damaged, scattering debris across the roadway and halting traffic in both directions.
Emergency responders, including Florence County EMS, sheriff’s deputies, and state troopers, rushed to the scene within minutes of receiving calls from bystanders. Upon arrival, medical personnel determined that the driver of the Toyota sedan had sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The individual’s name has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
The drivers of the Ford and the Volkswagen, both of whom survived the crash, were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of their injuries. Authorities have not disclosed the extent of those injuries but confirmed that both individuals were expected to recover. No passengers were reported in any of the vehicles involved.
As is standard procedure in fatal crashes, SCHP investigators have launched a full inquiry into the events that led up to the collision. Troopers are working to determine why the Toyota crossed into oncoming traffic. Factors such as driver impairment, distraction, fatigue, or a possible medical emergency are all being considered, though officials have not drawn any conclusions. Roadway and weather conditions at the time of the accident are also under review.
The crash brought traffic to a standstill along U.S. 378 for hours Monday night as crews worked to assist victims, clear debris, and remove the wrecked vehicles. Authorities directed traffic around the site, but long delays affected motorists traveling through the area. By late evening, the roadway was reopened once investigators completed their on-site work.
Local residents expressed concerns about the dangers of West Main Street, noting that the highway often sees heavy traffic, especially during the evening commute. Head-on collisions, while less frequent, are often deadly due to the high speeds involved. Safety officials regularly caution drivers to remain alert and to avoid risky behaviors such as distracted driving, which has become a growing problem across South Carolina roadways.
The Florence County crash adds to the rising toll of fatalities on state highways in 2025. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, hundreds of people have already died in traffic incidents this year, continuing a troubling trend. Last year, nearly a thousand lives were lost in roadway crashes across the state.
As the investigation continues, the SCHP has urged anyone who may have witnessed the collision or its immediate aftermath to come forward with information that could help clarify the sequence of events. Officials stressed that determining the cause of the Toyota’s sudden movement across lanes will be critical to understanding the tragedy.
For now, the community mourns the life lost in the crash while hoping for the recovery of the two surviving drivers. The incident underscores the devastating consequences of a momentary lapse on the roadway and serves as another reminder of the importance of caution and attentiveness behind the wheel.
