Sumter County, SC — The man who died in a single-vehicle traffic crash Sunday evening has been confirmed as 31-year-old Damien Waiters of Richland County. The news, confirmed by Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker, has left family, friends and neighbors struggling to process a loss that many say was entirely too soon.
The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 261 North and Richbow Road, according to the coroner’s office. Emergency crews rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a serious accident. When they arrived, they found Waiters suffering from grave injuries and transported him to a nearby hospital. Tragically, despite efforts to save him, he passed away a short time later.
Officials with the South Carolina Highway Patrol are leading the ongoing investigation into how the crash unfolded. As of now, they have not released further details about the possible cause, but they are urging anybody who may have seen the accident or who has relevant information to come forward as their work continues.
For many, Damien Waiters was much more than a name in a news release. In his community and among friends, he was known as warm, dependable, and generous — someone whose presence lit up a room. The shock of his sudden death has left a grief-stricken circle of loved ones mourning the absence of his daily smiles, laughter, and the small kindnesses he offered in everyday life.
His family is now facing the heartbreak of planning farewells and grappling with how a future without him will look. Those close to him have described him as hardworking and loyal — someone who had deep roots in his community and who carried hope and care for others wherever he went.
As the investigation continues, local authorities emphasize how important any eyewitness accounts could be in painting a fuller picture of the final moments before the crash. For those who may have information, contact with the South Carolina Highway Patrol could help bring answers to a family seeking closure.
In the wake of this tragedy, many are left reflecting on how fragile life can be — and how the memory of someone’s spirit, kindness, and love often becomes the light that guides those left behind.