News Summary
Spartanburg County, SC, is mourning a tragic week marked by deadly traffic incidents. Three high school students lost their lives in a crash, while another driver was killed in a separate incident. The community is rallying together to support those affected and calling for improved road safety measures. Authorities continue to investigate these events as traffic delays persist on I-26 due to another accident. Resources for support have been made available for grieving families and friends.
Spartanburg County, South Carolina is in mourning following a tragic week marked by multiple deadly traffic incidents. A crash on Interstate 26 has caused significant delays while communities are grappling with the loss of three high school students in a separate accident just days earlier.
All lanes on I-26 east are blocked at mile marker 20 due to an incident that occurred on Saturday, leading to serious traffic delays. The South Carolina Department of Transportation reported the developing situation, with further information to be released as it becomes available. Emergency responders are on the scene to manage the situation as investigations continue.
Hours prior to the highway incident, another deadly crash took place on Liberty Hill Road, resulting in the tragic death of a driver. This accident occurred just before 11 a.m. on Friday morning near Freeman Farm Road. Reports indicate that a Mazda minivan, driven by 70-year-old Arthur William Metcalf of Greer, went off the left side of the road. The vehicle struck a tree, then crossed back and ran off the right side into a ditch, ultimately hitting another tree. Metcalf was pronounced dead at the scene, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this crash.
The most devastating incident of the week occurred on Tuesday, claiming the lives of three students from Dorman High School in Spartanburg County. The multi-vehicle crash happened at approximately 4 p.m. at the intersection of Fairforest Clevedale Road and Old Blackstock Road. A tractor-trailer reportedly turned left, colliding with a Dodge pickup truck carrying the three teens. The victims have been identified as Daniel Diaz, 15, and Aben Sisk, 16, both of whom died at the scene, and Itzel Garcia-Trejo, 17, who succumbed to her injuries later at the hospital.
The driver of a third vehicle, a Chevrolet coupe involved in the collision, sustained injuries and was transported to Spartanburg Regional Hospital for treatment. Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger has confirmed the identities of the deceased and expressed condolences regarding this heartbreaking loss.
In response to the tragedy, Spartanburg District 6 has issued a statement expressing their deep sorrow over the loss of the students, noting the significant impact on the school community. The district has also made support resources available for grieving students and staff, emphasizing the need for collective healing during this difficult time.
This series of accidents has highlighted ongoing safety concerns on local roads, with families and community members calling for increased awareness and preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future. As investigations into these incidents continue, the Spartanburg community stands united in remembrance of those lost and in support of their loved ones.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Driver Killed in Spartanburg County Crash
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg County, South Carolina
- WYFF: Deadly Minivan Crash in Spartanburg County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
- WLOS: Three Dorman High School Students Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash
- Google Search: Spartanburg Traffic Accidents
- GoUpstate: Spartanburg Teens Killed in Car Crash
- Google News: Spartanburg County Crash
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
