Traffic tied up on SC 170 twice in one day. Police searching for driver after 2nd crash
For the second time in four hours Thursday, an accident tied up traffic on S.C. 170 in Okatie, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office news release. A man involved in the latest crash left the scene on foot, and deputies were pursuing him with K-9 units, the release said.
The crash involved two vehicles, one of which flipped over in the collision, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Maj. Bob Bromage. The driver of a blue SUV, who police believe is responsible for the wreck, stopped his vehicle and left the scene on foot heading toward Barrel Landing Road, Bromage said.
The driver deputies are pursing is a tall, white male with a shaved head, wearing a white tank top, according to the news release. As of 5:15 p.m., he had not been located. Occupants of the other vehicle were being evaluated for injuries.
The crash occurred near Okatie Center Boulevard just after 3 p.m. and blocked all westbound lanes, before they were reopened roughly two hours later, according to news releases.
Two people were injured in a three-car accident on the same stretch of roadway near the intersection with U.S. 278 on Thursday just before noon.
That crash blocked one westbound lane headed toward Bluffton. It was cleared and lanes were reopened around 12:30 p.m.
Two people were transported to Coastal Carolina Hospital by ambulance to be evaluated for their injuries after the first crash, Bromage told The Island Packet.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the both crashes, Bromage said.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2021 at 11:54 AM.
