News Summary
A series of alarming vehicle accidents over the July 4th weekend in Greenville County, SC, resulted in multiple injuries and fatalities, raising concerns about road safety. Key incidents include a fatal crash on I-385 and the death of 54-year-old Tammy Ann Smith, who succumbed to injuries from a previous accident. Authorities are investigating the causes and emphasizing the importance of driving responsibly, particularly during busy holiday periods.
Greenville County, South Carolina – A series of vehicle crashes over the July 4th weekend resulted in multiple injuries and fatalities, drawing attention to road safety in the area.
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office responded to one significant crash on the evening of July 4 at approximately 8:30 p.m. This incident took place at the intersection of Old Easley Bridge Road and White Horse Road. Reports indicate that at least one individual sustained trauma-related injuries and was subsequently transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment. However, detailed information about the specifics of this crash remains limited as investigations are ongoing.
Another tragic incident involved a multiple-vehicle collision that occurred on May 19, 2023, which ultimately claimed the life of 54-year-old Tammy Ann Smith of Greenville. She succumbed to her injuries on July 4 while receiving treatment at North Greenville Hospital. The initial crash that led to her injuries transpired in the 2100 block of Wade Hampton Boulevard, prompting an emergency response after a 911 call was made. During that incident, one driver was critically injured and also transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital.
In a separate and fatal crash reported on the night of July 2 around 11:30 p.m., a collision on I-385 near Roper Mountain Road involved a white Audi and a dump truck. The crash resulted in the death of the dump truck driver, 58-year-old David Mather Whitehead Sr. from High Point, North Carolina, who died shortly before 1 a.m. on Monday after being taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital. All passengers involved in the collision, including those from both the Audi and the dump truck, were transported to the hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
Investigations into this I-385 crash revealed that the white Audi struck the dump truck, causing it to overturn and eject the driver. The passenger of the Audi is reported to be hospitalized with serious injuries sustained during the incident. The driver of the Audi, identified as 32-year-old Joan Esteban Velez, faces several charges, including felony DUI resulting in death, felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury, and open container violations related to the crash.
As of 11 a.m. on Monday, authorities were actively conducting accident reconstruction at the scene of the fatal I-385 crash to determine the specifics and contributing factors that led to the tragic event.
The series of accidents over the holiday weekend has raised alarms regarding safety standards on roadways in Greenville County. As the local authorities continue to investigate these incidents, it brings to light the importance of adhering to traffic laws and driving responsibly, especially during busy holiday periods.
The Greenville community mourns the losses from these incidents and awaits further details from investigators as they work to bring clarity and understanding to the circumstances surrounding these tragic events.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Multiple Vehicle Crashes Cause Traffic Disruptions in Greenville
Deadly Crash on Interstate 385 Claims Life of Dump Truck Driver
Driver Charged with Felony DUI After Fatal Crash on I-385
Tragic Road Crashes Claim Lives in South Carolina
Teen Charged with Attempted Murder After Violent Altercation
Tragic Traffic Accident Claims Lives in South Carolina
Tragic Traffic Incidents Claim Three Lives in Greenville County
Investigation Underway After Man Found Dead Next to U-Haul
Memorial Day Events to Honor Fallen Armed Forces
Tragic Head-On Collision in Anderson Results in Fatalities and Injuries
Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Coroner Responds to 4th of July Crash
- Wikipedia: Traffic Collision
- WYFF4: Greenville County Crash Deadly
- Google Search: Greenville County crash news
- Fox Carolina: Greenville County July Crash Gallery
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Accident
- WSPA: One Dead in Greenville County Motorcycle Crash
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
