The Community Times Dispatch

A fatal motor vehicle accident, involving an 18-wheeler and a 2006 Buick Terraza crossover van, on US Interstate 95 near Walterboro, South Carolina claimed the life of a West Virginia woman on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Colleton Coroner Richard Harvey, Monique S. Smith, 24, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was a rear seat unrestrained passenger in the van and died approximately 2:30 p.m., after sustaining head injuries from the collision. Harvey said that the West Virginia State Police made personal notification to Smith’s parents

According to Corporal Paul Brouthers, SC Highway Patrol, the crossover van was driven by Connie Covington, 46, of Morgantown, West Virginia and the driver of the 18 wheeler was Richard Wiggins, 42, of Ridgeville, South Carolina. The Buick, while traveling southbound on I-95 in heavy traffic, was struck from behind by the 18 wheeler. The Buick went off the highway and struck several trees.

According to Colleton Fire-Rescue Chief Barry McRoy, one victim was ejected from the vehicle, four victims were entrapped and had to be extricated. Three of the victims were taken from the scene by helicopter, two were taken to the Medical University of South Carolina and one was taken to Savannah Memorial in Georgia. Medu-Care from Charleston, LifeStar arrived from Savannah, and LifeNet arrived from Jacksonville, Florida each taking one patient from the scene. Three other victims were transported by ambulance to Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team responded to the scene and the cause of the accident is under investigation. No charges were filed as of Tuesday evening.

Traffic on I-95 stalled for nearly 6 hours and a heavy inflow of vehicles exited the interstate and traveled south on SC Highway 17-A. Reports indicate that traffic was backed up for at least 20 miles. Emergency crews reported clearing up from the scene at 8:30 p.m.