July 20, 2025

Tragic Wave of Fatal Crashes in Greenville County

News Summary

Greenville County, South Carolina, is experiencing a series of fatal pedestrian and vehicle accidents, prompting investigations by the Coroner’s Office. Recent incidents include the deaths of several individuals, including an 86-year-old pedestrian and a teenager due to a DUI crash. Authorities are urging caution among drivers and pedestrians as they look into these tragic events to ensure accountability and promote safety on the roads.

Greenville County, South Carolina is currently facing a troubling wave of fatal pedestrian and motor vehicle crashes as the Coroner’s Office investigates several incidents that have resulted in loss of life.

The first reported incident occurred on Saturday morning, around 8 a.m., on Roper Mountain Road at Green Arbor Lane. In this tragic event, 86-year-old Anthony Hinkler, a resident of Greenville, was struck by a 2020 Chevrolet Coupe while walking north along Roper Mountain Road. The collision led to Hinkler suffering multiple blunt force injuries, with his death occurring approximately 16 minutes later, at around 8:16 a.m. The coroner ruled the manner of death as accidental following an external examination conducted on the same day.

Following this incident, authorities are also investigating a multi-vehicle crash that took place on May 19, resulting in critical injuries to 54-year-old Tammy Ann Smith of Greenville. Smith was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital after the crash but succumbed to her injuries at North Greenville Hospital on July 4. The details surrounding this incident remain unclear, and both the coroner’s office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are actively investigating the circumstances leading to Smith’s death.

Another tragic incident involved 34-year-old Kevin Leonard Schwenneker, who died due to a motorcycle collision at the intersection of Easley Bridge Road and North Washington Avenue. Schwenneker was taken to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital where he died from multiple blunt force injuries. Similar to the previous cases, the coroner has ruled the manner of death as accidental, and the incident is still under investigation by both the coroner’s office and highway patrol.

The series of deadly crashes in Greenville County continued with a DUI-related incident on July 4, resulting in the death of 15-year-old Chasity Unique Nelson. The tragic event unfolded at the intersection of White Horse Road and Old Easley Bridge Road, when an SUV driven by Kevin Clinton Harrison allegedly ran a red light and collided with a vehicle carrying Nelson as a rear passenger. After being transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital, Nelson unfortunately succumbed to her injuries on July 8. Following the crash, Harrison was arrested once he was discharged from the hospital, facing multiple charges related to the incident. He was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center on July 9 and was denied bond the next day.

As these incidents unfold, the Greenville County community is grappling with the implications of these fatalities. Authorities are urging pedestrians and drivers to remain vigilant and look out for one another during their travels. The ongoing investigations by the coroner’s office and highway patrol aim to shed light on the circumstances surrounding these tragic events and to ensure accountability for those involved.

In light of these incidents, it serves as a solemn reminder of the potential dangers present on roadways, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pedestrians and motorcyclists. Encouraging safe driving practices and adherence to traffic laws is critical for preventing similar tragedies in the future.