SC high school track coach killed in wreck

A longtime track coach and teacher at Southside Christian School in Simpsonville was killed in a fiery crash Monday on his way to school, according to authorities and school officials.

Frank Robert Kleckner, 61, of Enoree, died of his injuries after a collision at the intersection of Cross Anchor and Kilgore Bridge roads in Woodruff, said Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger.

Troopers said Kleckner was struck head-on by a Dodge pickup about 6:10 a.m. Monday.

The crash was still under investigation Monday afternoon, said Trooper Joe Hovis of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Charges are pending against the other driver, a 42-year-old man from Enoree, Hovis said.

In a Facebook post Monday afternoon, Southside Christian School said:

“We are so saddened to report that our beloved Frank Kleckner, long-time track coach and teacher, received fatal injuries during a fog-related traffic accident this morning, Please pray for Frank’s wife and for the entire Kleckner family. Mrs. Kleckner wanted everyone to know that ‘Coach Kleckner loved those kids.’ Indeed he did. And we loved him.”

This story was originally published May 22, 2017 at 5:05 PM with the headline "SC high school track coach killed in wreck."