Traffic Fatalities Raise Concerns on Road Safety in Greenville

Greenville, South Carolina, August 23, 2025

News Summary

Recent traffic incidents in Greenville, South Carolina, have heightened concerns over road safety. A traffic director and a cyclist lost their lives in separate accidents, prompting officials to emphasize the need for better protective measures for pedestrians and cyclists. With an alarming rise in traffic fatalities statewide, community leaders are now collaborating with law enforcement to address these ongoing challenges and enhance safety on the roads.

Greenville, South Carolina — Two tragic traffic incidents in the region have raised serious concerns regarding road safety, leading to a renewed focus on the need for improved measures to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

A 40-year-old man, Cesar Humberto Pena, was killed while directing traffic at the busy intersection of Terramont Drive and East North Street in Taylors on August 15. Pena, who was wearing a reflective vest at the time, was struck by a vehicle while managing the flow of traffic near the Brushy Creek Soccer Complex. Following the accident, he was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The investigation into his death is currently active, overseen by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office.

In a separate incident, a 69-year-old man named James M. Adams from Fair Play, South Carolina, died following a bicycle accident that occurred on August 12. Adams collided with a motor vehicle while riding his bicycle on S.C. 182/Oakway Road. Despite wearing a helmet during the ride, he sustained serious injuries. He was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he passed away on August 15. Similar to Pena’s case, this incident is also being investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

These incidents come against a concerning backdrop of rising traffic fatalities in South Carolina. Prior to August 10, 2025, the state recorded at least 513 deaths from traffic incidents, with a staggering total of 948 fatalities reported in 2024 alone. In Oconee County, where Adams’ accident occurred, at least 10 fatalities had already been documented in 2025. In addition to these cases, a recent single-vehicle incident on 3rd Avenue in Greenville resulted in the death of Darrell Scott Puttman, aged 56. His vehicle was found overturned, and he too was transported to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigations into Puttman’s death and Pena’s remain ongoing.

Further emphasizing the troubling trend, on July 4, a DUI-related crash in Greenville County claimed the life of 15-year-old Chasity Unique Nelson, underlining the urgent need for improved traffic safety measures across the state.

The alarming rate of fatalities highlights a critical need for action and awareness in South Carolina. Officials are working closely with law enforcement and community leaders to address these ongoing challenges and enhance public safety on the roads.

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Additional Resources

• WSPA: One Dead in Car Crash in Greenville County
• Wikipedia: Road Safety
• Fox Carolina: Tractor Trailer Crash on I-85
• Google Search: Traffic Safety South Carolina
• WITN: Ambulance-SUV Crash Snarls Traffic
• Google Scholar: Traffic Accidents South Carolina
• WYFF: Teen Dies in Greenville July 4 Crash
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Accident

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.