SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Tragic Wrong-Way Crash on I-85 Claims Three Lives in Early Morning Collision
A devastating wrong-way crash on Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County early Sunday morning has left three people dead and a community in shock. The tragic accident occurred around 12:15 a.m. near mile marker 75, when a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction collided head-on with two other vehicles, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Authorities report that the driver of a Honda sedan was traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-85 when the vehicle struck a Toyota sedan head-on. The force of the impact was catastrophic. Moments later, the Honda also collided with a Ford SUV, compounding the severity of the incident.
Tragically, the driver of the Honda and both the driver and a passenger in the Toyota were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have not yet been released, pending notification of their families. Officials with the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office responded and are assisting in the ongoing investigation.
Miraculously, all occupants of the Ford SUV escaped the incident without physical injury. However, emergency responders emphasized the emotional trauma and lasting impact such events can have on those involved — even those who survive.
The scene was chaotic in the immediate aftermath of the crash. First responders shut down a section of northbound I-85 as they worked to provide aid, investigate the cause, and clear debris. Traffic was diverted for several hours into the early morning, with South Carolina Department of Transportation crews assisting with rerouting and cleanup.
At this time, investigators are working to determine why the Honda sedan was traveling in the wrong direction. Toxicology tests will be performed to assess whether impairment was a factor, a common concern in late-night and early-morning highway accidents.
The crash comes as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of wrong-way driving, which continues to be a persistent issue on highways across the country. The National Transportation Safety Board has noted that such collisions are often high-speed and involve head-on impacts, resulting in a disproportionately high fatality rate.
Community members and local officials have expressed their condolences to the families affected by this horrific incident. “This is an unspeakable tragedy. Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones as they face such a sudden and painful loss,” said one local official.
As the community mourns, the South Carolina Highway Patrol’s Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is working to reconstruct the crash and gather surveillance or witness reports to better understand how this heartbreaking chain of events unfolded.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have information is encouraged to contact the South Carolina Highway Patrol or Crime Stoppers of the Upstate.
Further updates will be released as the investigation continues. For now, Spartanburg County grieves three lives lost far too soon in a tragedy that shook the early hours of Sunday morning.