Basic Facts

Crash date: August 28, 2026

Crash location: I-85 mile marker 62, Greer, Spartanburg County, SC

People involved:

  • Maurice Levernon Mitchell, 64
  • Anthony Joseph Astorini, 28
  • Unidentified Driver

Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash?: Unknown

Are there possible charges or citations?: Unknown

Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash?: Unknown

Accident Report

August 28, 2026, Maurice Mitchell and Anthony Astorini died after a wrong-way car accident around 3:26 a.m. along I-85.

According to officials, the crash happened in the area of southbound I-85 mile marker 62, just off Highway 101 south of Greer.

Investigators said that a vehicle was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of the interstate. Doing so, there was a minor crash near the Highway 101 exit. Shortly afterward, the wrong-way vehicle crashed head-on with a Hyundai.

Authorities say that the driver of the Hyundai and the alleged wrong-way driver were killed. Reports identified the victims in the crash as 64-year-old Maurice Levernon Mitchell and 28-year-old Anthony Joseph Astorini. Reports did not say who was in which vehicle.

Right now, additional details are unavailable.

How Did This Accident Occur?

I want to be crystal clear up front that I don’t know anything more about what caused this crash than what’s been reported in the news. However, I have been a part of countless investigations into wrong-way crashes over the years. It is possible that this involved highly unusual circumstances, such as issues with signage or some kind of medical emergency. To be rather blunt, though, wrong-way crashes almost always involve an intoxicated driver. I’d like to explain why this can be so complex for families affected by these crashes.

What makes alcohol-related wrong-way driver accidents unique from typical drunk driving crashes is the level of intoxication. It takes a lot for someone not to realize they’re going the wrong direction on a service road, up an exit ramp, and into oncoming traffic long enough to crash into someone. In my experience, evidence usually shows a driver in that condition was extremely intoxicated. Usually, that means a local bar unlawfully over-served them.

South Carolina and Texas have similar laws in this regard. If investigations find that a crash involved a negligent alcohol provider unlawfully over-serving someone, the alcohol provider can face serious legal consequences for their actions. Unfortunately, authorities too often look only at the crash scene for someone who can face charges. If everyone involved loses their life, they might simply move on without looking behind the scenes. This usually leaves families with unanswered questions. Not only that, but also any potential wrongdoer whose actions led to a deadly crash might fly under the radar instead of facing appropriate consequences.

That’s why I feel compelled to talk about crashes like this. These shocking headlines sometimes lead folks to speculate about what a driver did wrong—and that’s understandable. From my experience, though, the concern should be whether or not families have the full story. If investigations begin and end at the crash scene, crucial information might slip through the cracks. Putting a wrong-way crash in the hands of experienced professionals who will investigate all possible factors helps to provide a clearer picture of what happened and what next steps may be best for families.

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