Anderson County,SC: Two people killed and four injured in vehicles crash on Tuesday August 4th 2015.

A box of Huggies diapers sat on the side of the road next to two mangled vehicles that collided Tuesday, killing two and injuring four near Williamston.

The drivers of the two vehicles, Austin Blake Campbell, 17, and Jeronima Sofia Agquilar-Cortez, 38, died in the wreck, said Anderson County Deputy Coroner Don McCown.

Four passengers in the minivan involved in the wreck were injured, including two children, ages 6 and 7, who are being treated in an intensive care unit at Greenville Memorial Hospital, McCown said. A 14-year-old boy was severely injured and taken to AnMed Health Medical Center for treatment and an adult in the minivan, the only person involved in the wreck who was wearing a seat belt, had minor injuries, McCown said.

The wreck happened around 11:10 a.m. on Welcome Road, about 5 miles west of Williamston.

Campbell was driving a 2010 Honda Accord that crossed the yellow line, striking the minivan head-on, said Lance Cpl. Tony Keller of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

McCown said distracted driving may have been a factor in the wreck.

Campbell was a student at Palmetto High School, two weeks away from starting his senior year.

He was part of the school’s wrestling and soccer teams.

“Simply being in his presence would quickly brighten your day,” said April Hays, a coach at the school. “On a daily basis, Blake brought a smile to a multitude of faces, made us laugh out loud, and warmed our hearts.

The minivan had a Palmetto Middle School honor roll bumper sticker on the front hood, which was smashed so hard it was nearly vertical.

Agquilar-Cortez, the minivan driver, was flown by medical helicopter to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, Keller said.

Welcome Road is dangerous in many places including where it meets Reidville Road, right where the wreck happened, said Anthony Billups, who has lived in the area his whole life.

He said people barrel down the road at speeds well in excess of 60 miles an hour, more than 15 miles above the speed limit, and the many turns and small hills make it difficult to see others.

“You see someone’s headlights and it’s too late,” Billups said. “Two weeks ago I was going to work, I turned out and there was someone right on my back bumper immediately.”


Source :
Two dead in head-on collision on Welcome Road