News Summary
A tragic accident occurred when a fire truck responding to a house fire collided with a sedan, resulting in the death of a 64-year-old woman. The fire truck was fully engaged with lights and sirens when the incident happened. Alongside the fatality, four firefighters sustained injuries. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the accident, raising concerns about road safety and traffic infrastructure.
Columbia, South Carolina – A tragic accident occurred on Saturday, July 12, when a 64-year-old woman named Carolyn Collins lost her life in a collision involving a Columbia-Richland fire truck. The incident unfolded around 7 p.m. on Two Notch Road, when the fire truck, responding to a house fire ignited by a lightning strike, struck the sedan in which Collins was a passenger.
The fire truck was fully equipped with its lights and sirens activated as it approached the scene of the fire. Preliminary investigations indicate that the sedan was in the process of making a left turn from the median into a private driveway when the fire truck impacted the driver’s side of the vehicle. Unfortunately, Collins did not survive the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In addition to Collins, four firefighters from the responding fire truck sustained injuries and were transported to Prisma Health Richland Hospital. Fortunately, they were all released the same evening, though the emotional impact of the incident on the firefighters is considerable. The Fire Chief has noted that counseling services will be offered to assist them during this difficult time.
Investigation Underway
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Concurrently, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department is conducting its own internal review, as is standard procedure for incidents of this nature. Early reports highlight a noteworthy point: there are currently no standard operating procedures for firefighters when responding against the flow of traffic, apart from the utilization of sirens and air horns.
Concerns regarding the traffic infrastructure on Two Notch Road have been raised by businesses in the surrounding area. This location has been characterized as accident-prone, leading to discussions regarding potential improvements to enhance safety for all road users.
Background on Incident
At the time of the collision, the fire truck was reacting to a house fire that fortunately resulted in no civilian injuries. However, the accident has prompted the fire department to reassess its operational procedures in light of Collins’s death. Changes may be necessary following the completion of the internal investigation.
This tragic incident serves as a painful reminder of the dangers faced by emergency responders and the civilian population alike on busy roadways. As investigations continue, further details may emerge that could impact policies not only within the Columbia-Richland Fire Department but also regarding traffic management on Two Notch Road.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WIS TV
- Wikipedia: Traffic Accident
- WBTV
- Google Search: Columbia-Richland Fire Truck accident
- Fox Carolina
- Google Scholar: Emergency Response Traffic Accidents
- WLTX
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- The State
- Google News: Two Notch Road accidents
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.
