Tragic Pileup Crash Claims Life of Three-Month-Old in South Carolina
Child Identified as Jakai Govan, Anderson County
A horrific multi-vehicle collision on Thursday afternoon in Anderson County, South Carolina, claimed the life of a three-month-old infant, according to local coroner Greg Shore. The deceased child has been identified as Jakai Govan.
Details of the Accident
The South Carolina Highway Patrol released information about the tragic accident that happened near Welcome Road, north of Williamston, on Highway 29. According to Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway, at about 1:45 p.m., a Dodge pickup truck was at a standstill in the southbound traffic on the highway. The gridlock was due to ongoing road work in the area.
A second vehicle, a Chevy sedan, was also stationary directly behind the pickup. Amidst these conditions, a concrete truck collided with the back of the stopped sedan. The force of the impact caused the sedan to lurch forward, hitting the pickup in the rear. Further details revealed by the trooper spoke of the subsequent overturning of the concrete truck down an embankment leading to a pileup, notably involving the Chevy sedan and the Dodge pickup.
A Scene of Devastation
The infant victim, Jakai Govan, was duly restrained in a car seat in the Chevy sedan. Due to the seriousness of the incident, the child had to be extricated from the vehicle and was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the medical team, Jakai succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. The cause of death has been determined as a subdural hemorrhage secondary to a skull fracture, indicating the grievous nature of the collision, according to Coroner Shore who has ruled the death accidental.
In addition to the heartbreaking fate of Jakai, the driver of the Chevy sedan, from Anderson, also sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to the same hospital. As of now, no updates on the driver’s condition have been provided. Meanwhile, the driver of the Dodge pickup, also from Anderson, suffered back and neck injuries and was transported to a local hospital by ambulance.
The driver of the concrete truck, originating from Honea Path, South Carolina, reportedly escaped the crash unscathed.
Updating the Public
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the pileup, tentatively attributing it to the concrete truck’s speed. Meanwhile, available reports indicate that the concrete vehicle was indeed travelling at a speed that may have been inappropriate for the active road work conditions.
This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of adhering to speed limits and maintaining awareness of road conditions. The local community mourns the loss of a tender life and hopes for the speedy recovery of those injured.