The Community Times Dispatch

Tommie’s Auto and IMS clears log truck versus train wreckage on Hwy 278

An Allendale man was left in critical condition after being ejected from a log truck that was struck by a train at a crossing on Highway 278, on Tuesday, September 22.

According to an eyewitness, the driver of the log truck, Herman Breland of Allendale, was apparently trying to back the log truck off of the tracks and was unable to clear the tracks before the truck was struck by the train, ejecting Breland from the vehicle onto a nearby roadside.

According to officials, US Army Lieutenant Colonel Larry Peeples of the 218^th Brigade Support Battalion witnessed the collision and quickly began providing basic medical attention to Breland. Breland apparently sustain multiple fractures and was later flown to a nearby hospital for further medical attention. The medical helicopter landed at Boyles Soccer Field behind Reid’s, which was just across from the scene of the wreckage.

The accident happened around 8:00 a.m. Tuesday. The Hampton Fire Department and Hampton County EMS personnel did respond to the scene.

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the log truck was leaving the Capstone Chip Mill when the driver apparently failed to yield at a stop sign and collided with the train. The driver, according to officials on scene, had been unrestrained at the time of the accident.

Tommies Auto Diesel and Incident Management Solutions of Walterboro was quick to clear wreckage, debris and spills at the train crossing.