Andre Tyrone Eason Death, Augusta, Georgia – A single individual lost their life and three others were admitted to the hospital on Wednesday due to a series of collisions that obstructed a section of Interstate 20 for several hours, as reported by South Carolina authorities. Andre Tyrone Eason, a 30-year-old resident of Augusta, Georgia, was the victim of the incident, confirmed Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.
The multiple-vehicle crash occurred around 9:45 near the 61 mile marker on I-20, stated Master Trooper William Bennett of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. This location is in Lexington, close to the Richland County border and Exit 61, which connects with U.S. 378.
Eason was traveling east on I-20 in a 2020 Dodge Ram when the trailer it was towing became detached, causing the pickup truck to become disabled on the interstate. Eason and another individual, identified as a pedestrian, were outside the vehicle attempting to reattach the trailer, according to Bennett.
Simultaneously, a 2017 Jeep Cherokee traveling east on I-20 attempted to change lanes to avoid the disabled pickup truck. However, the SUV was rear-ended by an eastbound 1998 Dodge Ram, leading the Cherokee to collide with the trailer, which then struck Eason and the other pedestrian, Bennett explained.
Eason succumbed to his injuries at the scene, Fisher confirmed.
The other pedestrian and the drivers of the SUV and the 1998 pickup sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital, Bennett reported. Fisher mentioned that the injuries sustained by the drivers were not life-threatening, but no further details regarding their conditions, as well as the pedestrian’s condition, were provided.
Bennett clarified that the drivers were the sole occupants of their vehicles, and no additional injuries were reported.
It was not specified whether the drivers were wearing seat belts.
All eastbound lanes on I-20 were temporarily closed, and the area was not cleared until after 3 p.m., according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
Both the Highway Patrol and the coroner’s office are conducting an ongoing investigation into the collision.