Coroner identifies victims of deadly Highway 76 bridge crash

According to Coroner Bubba Matthews, Curtis L. Johnson, 36, of Hartwell, Ga., and his daughter 13-year-old Crystal A. Johnson died at in the multi-vehicle accident.

By: | SCNOW
Published: October 02, 2009

FLORENCE – Both sides of the U.S. 76 Great Pee Dee River Bridge between Marion and Florence Counties are re-opened following a multi-vehicle fatal crash and fire that closed the bridge Thursday night.

South Carolina Highway Patrol officials closed U.S. 76 from Old Marion Highway to the bridge – one of the most heavily trafficked tourism routes to the beach – following the 8 p.m. crash that involved a tractor-trailer, dump truck and two other vehicles.

Highway patrol Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins confirmed at least two people died in the crash and several more were transported to area medical centers for treatment of their injuries.

According to Coroner Bubba Matthews, Curtis L. Johnson, 36, of Hartwell, Ga., and his daughter 13-year-old Crystal A. Johnson died at scene.

Firefighters worked to extinguish the tractor-trailer, which was hauling paper products. That trailer re-ignited briefly Friday morning as it was being towed to a salvage yard, according to broadcast reports.

The SCHP’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is investigating the crash, Collins said.

News13 and scnow.com will bring you more details as they become available.