Dense fog caused a massive 69-vehicle pile-up along southbound Interstate 95 in Clarendon County, South Carolina. According to officials, the wreck occurred Thursday morning, October 1, 2026, on the expansive Lake Marion Bridge and involved 54 passenger vehicles and 15 tractor-trailers.
Initially told the crash involved only six cars, first responders on the scene reported finding a sprawling scene of demolished cars, twisted tractor-trailers, some with passenger vehicles wedged beneath, and at least one car on fire.
Clarendon County Fire Rescue officials reported that traffic behind the pile-up became so congested that some emergency crews were forced to leave their vehicles and walk to reach injured motorists. Officials said two vehicles required mechanical extrication to free trapped occupants.
Two people suffered serious injuries, one of whom was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Several others sustained minor injuries. No fatalities have been reported, despite the scale of the wreck.
One driver caught in the pile-up stated witnessing cars catching fire, people trapped in others, and feeling disoriented and “unsure what to do next.” One nearby resident described hearing the vehicles slam into one another as the crash grew, and as the fog cleared, “the worst thing I’ve ever seen.”
The I-95 southbound lanes were closed throughout the day as crews cleared damaged vehicles and debris and were reopened early Friday morning. The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC can help explain your rights and legal options. To learn more, schedule a free consultation with a member of our experienced personal injury lawyers by calling 843-727-6500 or completing our online form. With office locations in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Aiken, and Columbia, South Carolina, we gladly serve clients throughout the state.