At a Glance
- A driver was ejected from his Ford Mustang and struck by another vehicle on Bluffton Parkway at 1 p.m. on January 17, 2026
- The crash occurred after the Mustang hit a tree, overturned, and threw the driver into oncoming westbound lanes
- No other injuries were reported and the victim has not yet been identified
- Why it matters: The incident highlights the dangers of single-vehicle crashes that can quickly escalate into multi-vehicle fatalities
A South Carolina driver died after being thrown from his car and hit by an oncoming vehicle during a Saturday afternoon crash on Bluffton Parkway, according to multiple local outlets.
The Fatal Sequence
The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash began when a Ford Mustang traveling east on Bluffton Parkway near Soperton Drive left the roadway, struck a tree after hitting a median, and overturned.
The impact ejected the driver into the westbound lanes where another vehicle struck him. He died at the scene.
Key details:
- Time: Around 1 p.m. on January 17, 2026
- Location: Bluffton Parkway at Soperton Drive in Beaufort County
- Vehicle: Ford Mustang
- Outcome: Driver ejected, struck by oncoming traffic, died at scene
The driver has not been publicly identified. Neither the South Carolina Highway Patrol nor the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office responded to requests for comment from News Of Los Angeles.
Recent Beaufort County Crashes
The fatal incident follows two other deadly crashes in the same county within recent weeks.
In December, a driver died in a single-vehicle collision after their 2005 Honda left US 21 near Detour Road and struck a tree. The crash happened around 9:15 p.m. on December 3, with the sole occupant dying at the scene.
Later in December, 33-year-old pedestrian Robert Gadson was killed after being struck by a vehicle at Lady’s Island Drive and Club Road.
Fatal crashes in Beaufort County – Recent timeline
| Date | Location | Victim | Circumstances |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 17, 2026 | Bluffton Parkway | Unidentified male | Ejected from Mustang, struck by vehicle |
| December 2025 | Lady’s Island Drive | Robert Gadson, 33 | Pedestrian struck by vehicle |
| December 3, 2025 | US 21 near Detour Road | Unidentified driver | Honda left road, hit tree |
Investigation Status
Authorities have not released additional details about the January 17 crash, including:
- Speed of the Mustang
- Whether the driver was wearing a seatbelt
- Identity of the second vehicle’s driver
- Contributing factors such as weather or road conditions
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident.
Key Takeaways
- Single-vehicle crashes can escalate quickly when drivers are ejected into active traffic lanes
- The Bluffton Parkway incident shows how initial impacts with trees or medians can lead to secondary collisions
- Beaufort County has seen multiple fatal crashes involving both vehicles and pedestrians in recent months
- Officials have not identified the latest victim as investigations continue
