Crash near Sun City sparks vehicle fire, delays traffic on US 278, officials say
A crash near Sun City Hilton Head sparked a vehicle fire and briefly blocked several highway lanes Wednesday afternoon, according to an alert sent just after 2:30 p.m. by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash at the intersection of U.S. 278 (Fording Island Road) and Sun City Boulevard initially blocked all lanes of the highway, police said.
But both eastbound lanes of the highway had reopened as of 3:45 p.m., and one westbound lane was open but “moving slowly,” according to the Bluffton Township Fire District.
One of two vehicles involved in the collision caught fire, but the flames were quickly extinguished by Bluffton fire crews, according to fire department spokesperson Stephen Combs. A photo taken at the scene showed flames leaping from the damaged front area of a red SUV as it sat in the grassy median of U.S. 278.
Combs said he was not aware of any injuries in the collision or vehicle fire. According to dispatch notes, all occupants were outside their vehicles when fire crews arrived, he said.
BCSO spokesman Staff Sgt. Robert Herlong said the South Carolina Highway Patrol was responding to the scene due to the “severity” of the collision.
Drivers in the Okatie area should expect delays heading into the Wednesday evening rush hour.
Representatives from the SCHP and Beaufort County EMS could not immediately be reached for additional information.
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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 3:26 PM.
