Spartanburg County, SC — February 13, 2026, Robert Homesley and Lorena Vickery were killed and another person was injured in a wrong-way accident at about 8:30 p.m. on Interstate 26.
Authorities said a 2021 Ford pickup was heading the wrong way on eastbound I-26 when it collided with a 2016 Volvo SUV near mile marker 44. The Volvo subsequently was hit by a 2026 Honda SUV.
Ford driver Robert Terry Homesley, 87, of Alexis, NC was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
The other two drivers were hospitalized with unspecified injuries, authorities said.
Lorena Yamileth Vickery, 54, of Abbeville died February 16, according to authorities, but it is not clear which vehicle she was driving in the crash near Enoree.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Spartanburg County crash at this time.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Serious crashes leave behind more than damaged vehicles. They leave open questions. In the rush to clear a highway and file a report, it’s easy to assume the basics tell the whole story. But the real answers often lie deeper than what’s visible at first glance.
When I look at a collision like this, three questions come to mind.
Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? A wrong-way crash immediately raises red flags. It’s not enough to note direction of travel and point of impact. A careful investigation would include laser mapping of the scene, precise measurements of vehicle positions and a reconstruction of how each vehicle moved in the seconds before impact. Skid marks, debris fields and crush damage can reveal timing and angles that aren’t obvious from photographs alone.
It also matters whether investigators looked into the conduct of each driver before the collision. Was there evidence of impairment? Fatigue? A medical episode? Was the wrong-way travel sudden, or did it continue for some distance? These are questions that require time, training and attention to detail. Some officers are highly trained in crash reconstruction, while others may not have the specialized background needed for complex, multi-vehicle collisions. Whether the right resources were brought in can make all the difference.
Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When a vehicle travels the wrong way, people often assume driver error. But mechanical issues can play a role in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. A stuck accelerator, brake malfunction, steering failure or even a problem with electronic driver-assist systems can affect how a vehicle responds.
Each vehicle involved should be preserved and inspected carefully. Modern trucks and SUVs are packed with sensors and systems that can malfunction without leaving visible signs. If no one takes the time to examine braking systems, throttle components or onboard safety features, an important piece of the puzzle could be missed.
Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Today’s vehicles record more than most people realize. Engine control modules can capture speed, throttle position, braking input and seatbelt use in the seconds before a crash. That information can confirm, or challenge, initial assumptions.
Beyond the vehicles themselves, there may be cell phone records, GPS data or traffic camera footage that show what happened leading up to the collision. Did anyone attempt to slow down? Were there evasive maneuvers? Was distraction a factor? Electronic data often provides clear answers where witness accounts conflict.
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to assign blame quickly. It’s to make sure the full story is understood. Serious crashes deserve more than surface-level conclusions. They deserve careful work, thoughtful review and a willingness to ask hard questions before the file is closed.
Key Takeaways:
- A proper crash investigation should go beyond basic reports and include detailed reconstruction work.
- Mechanical failures and vehicle system malfunctions should be ruled out through hands-on inspection.
- Electronic data from vehicles and devices can clarify what really happened in the moments before impact.
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