On Monday afternoon, 26-year-old Jacob Babayan of Greer lost his life in a tragic collision between his motorcycle and a CATbus in Central, South Carolina. The crash happened around 4:20 p.m. on October 13 along West Main Street near Vickery Drive, drawing an immediate response from first responders.
When emergency teams arrived, they found Babayan suffering from critical injuries. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Pickens County Coroner’s Office, Babayan was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. State authorities say there were no other reported injuries to the bus driver or its passengers.
The CATbus involved was operating its regular route when the accident occurred. Details remain scarce on how the collision unfolded or what factors contributed to it. Investigators from the Central Police Department, along with the Pickens County Coroner’s Office, are reviewing traffic camera footage and collecting statements from witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events.
In the immediate aftermath, authorities shut down the section of West Main Street around Vickery Drive for several hours to document the scene and clear debris. Drivers were advised to use alternate routes until the roadway was fully reopened.
As news of the crash spread, community members and friends took to social media to express their sorrow and remember Babayan. He’s being described as a kind, hard-working young man with a passion for motorcycles and the outdoors. “He was always smiling, always ready to help,” one friend wrote in an online tribute. The shock has rippled through the local riding community and beyond.
Autopsy arrangements were confirmed, with the Pickens County Coroner’s Office scheduling the procedure to determine more precisely the cause of death. The authorities have not yet announced whether any charges will be filed; their priority remains gathering evidence and establishing what led to this heartbreaking loss.
If anyone witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage, officials urge you to contact the Central Police Department. Your information might be vital in piecing together how Jacob Babayan’s life was tragically cut short.