69-Vehicle Pileup Shuts Down Bridge Over State’s Largest Lake as Driver Felt Lucky ‘No One Went Over the Edge’

Charlotte PhillippFri, October 2, 2026 at 11:12 PM UTC

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A view of the crash on Interstate 95 in Clarendon County, South CarolinaCredit: Clarendon County Fire Rescue/Facebook -

A massive chain-reaction crash on a South Carolina highway took place on Thursday, Oct. 1

Thick fog reportedly left drivers little time to stop on South Carolina’s Lake Marion bridge, law enforcement said

The crash involved 15 tractor-trailers and 54 other vehicles

A total of 69 vehicles were involved in a massive chain-reaction crash in South Carolina.

The crash occurred around 8:50 a.m. local time on Thursday, Oct. 1, near the 100-mile marker on I-95 southbound, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol and Clarendon County Fire Rescue.

Although first responders who arrived at the scene were initially told it was a six-vehicle collision, the number of vehicles involved just kept growing, according to CBS affiliate WLTX-TV, NBC affiliate WCBD and local station WIS.

The sprawling crash stretched out over the Lake Marion bridge, a more than one-mile-long portion of I-95 that carries cars over the largest lake in the state.

Fire officials from the nearby town of Santee said drivers had to deal with thick, dense fog across the bridge, which drastically reduced visibility, according to WIS.

In total, 69 vehicles were involved in the crash, including 15 eighteen-wheelers and 54 other cars.

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First responders who arrived at the scene found trucks twisted, vehicles wedged beneath semi trucks and at least one car on fire.

Two people were seriously hurt, including one person was was taken to a local hospital by helicopter, according to WIS.

After the crash, traffic was stopped for hours as crews worked to get passengers out from the wreckage.

Officials shared that they called in tow companies from across the state to assist with clearing the road before finally opening them back up again on Friday, Oct. 2.

A view of the crash site on Interstate 95.Credit: Clarendon County Fire Rescue/Facebook

Speaking with WIS, Noah Mandel told the outlet that he and his family from driving to Walt Disney World when they crashed.

“You could see a car behind us just started to smoke and caught on fire. You could see other people in front were trapped in their cars, and you’re all just kind of wondering what to do next,” Mandel said. “It was definitely a thought in my mind of how lucky we were that no one went over the edge into the water.”

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Source: “AOL Breaking”