Seabrook man dies after vehicle hits tree; ejected passenger seriously injured

The driver of a speeding black Chevrolet was killed when his vehicle hit a tree after failing to complete a turn on Kinloch Road in Dale Sunday night. A passenger was ejected and sustained serious injuries, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office identified the man who was killed as Herman Martin Jr., 42, of Seabrook.

Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway of the Highway Patrol said the passenger, who was transported to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, also was from Seabrook.

Deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office had been called to the intersection of Keans Neck Road and Coakley Drive about 8:30 p.m. in response to a complaint that drag racing was blocking traffic. The deputies found nearly 150 vehicles parked along Coakley Drive, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.

While conducting traffic enforcement in the area, deputies saw a 2105 Chevrolet sedan speeding. Maj. Angela Viens, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, said it was unknown whether the driver of the Chevrolet was involved in drag racing.

A traffic stop was initiated at the corner of Keans Neck Road and Kinloch Road near Albany Grocery Store, the advisory said. The driver of the Chevrolet accelerated and lost control of the vehicle before hitting the tree.

According to Viens, the Sheriff’s Office is reviewing Sunday night’s incident to verify that all department pursuit policies were followed.

The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. According to Trooper Nick Pye, the investigation is ongoing.

No other details were immediately available. This story will be updated as more information is released.