‘We are broken’: Friends remember 23-year-old Beaufort man killed in weekend crash
For family members and friends of the 23-year-old Beaufort man killed Saturday in a crash on U.S. 21, it’s hard to imagine that the bubbly person they cherished is now gone, according to cousin and best friend Toby Reischl.
“Life just isn’t the same. ... He was taken too soon,” he said.
Bradley Pierce, 23, of Beaufort died just after midnight Saturday in a crash involving two cars, a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, near Old Jericho Road, according to previous reporting by The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.
The 2002 Tahoe was heading south on U.S. 21 and trying to turn left onto Old Jericho Road while the 2006 Tahoe was heading north on U.S. 21, Master Trooper Brian Lee said in a press release from the S.C. Highway Patrol.
The roadway was closed for three hours following the crash, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office report.
Pierce, the driver of the 2006 Tahoe, was pronounced dead at the scene, Lee said.
A passenger in his car and the other driver involved in the crash were transported to a local hospital for treatment. As of Tuesday, there was no update on their injuries and the investigation into the crash was ongoing, according to Trooper Nick Pye, a spokesperson with the highway patrol.
‘Life was never dull’
Talking about Pierce in the aftermath of his death has been difficult, Reischl said. The two have known each other their whole lives and, to him, Pierce was the greatest person he was “blessed to have met.”
“He was the most caring, loving, outgoing, live-in-the-moment kinda guy,” he said. “He could make anyone’s day better; he lit up any and every room, party or cookout he went to. There was nothing that could really get his morale down.”
In the days following his death, friends have taken to social media to share photos, videos and memories. One friend shared “the last secret” Pierce kept for them and how they fixed a cracked bumper with zip-ties, “a professional zip-tie job should I mention,” the friend wrote. One friend shared memories of growing up riding bikes with Pierce in Beaufort, while another wrote that they would miss him and “all the stupid things” they did.
Pierce was dedicated both to his truck, which he loved, Reischl said, and to making his friends and family crack a smile. He loved the outdoors, fishing and days spent out on the water. He cherished his parents and siblings and constantly tried to lift their spirits.
Pierce made things fun and, Reischl said, “life was never dull or boring when Bradley was around.”
Added Reischl: “I can truly say this from the bottom of my heart, and probably speaking for anyone that knew him, we are broken he is gone.”
A memorial for Pierce will be held Saturday, May 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home.
