News Summary
Over the weekend, Greenville County authorities are investigating a series of fatal crashes that resulted in three deaths. The first two incidents involved a vehicle rollover and a motorcycle collision, while the third involved a dump truck on Interstate 385. Investigations are ongoing to determine the causes and circumstances of these tragic events, and the local community is urged to prioritize road safety.
Greenville County, South Carolina – Authorities are investigating multiple fatal crashes that occurred over the weekend, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office is leading the investigation into these tragic incidents, which took place on Saturday and Sunday.
The first crash was reported on Saturday at approximately 3:40 p.m., near 3rd Avenue, about one mile from the city of Greenville. In this incident, a 2017 Nissan Versa, driven by 56-year-old Darrell Scott Puttman, veered off the road, struck a ditch, and subsequently overturned. Investigators confirmed that Puttman, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle and wearing a seatbelt at the time, was transported to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead at 4:33 p.m. due to severe injuries suffered in the crash.
Shortly after the first accident, another crash occurred on the same day at around 4:29 p.m. This incident involved a motorcyclist and a GMC SUV at the intersection of North Washington Avenue and US 123. The motorcyclist, identified as 34-year-old Kevin Leonard Schwenneker, was traveling south on US 123 when he attempted to navigate the intersection and collided with the SUV that was making a left turn. Schwenneker was also taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries around 5 p.m. The driver of the GMC SUV and its four passengers were injured in the crash and required hospital treatment.
An autopsy for Schwenneker has been scheduled for Monday as part of the ongoing investigations being conducted by the coroner’s office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The series of deadly incidents continued later that weekend on Sunday at approximately 11:30 p.m. when another fatal crash occurred on Interstate 385 south at Exit 37, near the Roper Mountain Road exit. This incident involved two vehicles, including a dump truck. The driver of the dump truck sustained critical injuries and was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital. Sadly, this individual also passed away just before 1 a.m. on Monday. The identity of the dump truck driver has not yet been disclosed as investigators continue their work.
Authorities are actively investigating all three crash scenarios. Specific details, including the conditions leading to each of the incidents and any potential charges that may arise from the investigations, have not been finalized. The public is urged to exercise caution while traveling through the area as investigators gather important information relating to these cases.
These tragic occurrences highlight ongoing concerns regarding road safety in Greenville County and the importance of adhering to traffic laws. While further details are anticipated as investigations progress, the loss of life in these crashes has deeply affected the local community.
Background Context: Greenville County has seen an increase in road traffic incidents over recent years. Numerous campaigns have been launched to raise awareness about safe driving practices, including the use of seatbelts, the dangers of impaired driving, and the importance of remaining vigilant while navigating intersections. The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to emphasize the need for drivers to remain alert and to obey all traffic regulations to prevent further accidents.
As investigations into the fatal crashes continue, the community reflects on the importance of road safety and the need to remember those who have lost their lives in such tragic circumstances.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Coroner Investigating Deadly Motorcycle Crash in Greenville County
- Wikipedia: Traffic Collision
- WYFF4: Deadly Crash on Major Upstate Roadway
- Google Search: Greenville County road safety
- ABC11: Greenville Plane Crash
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Road Safety
- WSPA: Plane Crash Reported in Greenville County
- Google News: Greenville traffic 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.
