Darlington County, SC — May 20, 2025, two people were killed in a truck accident at about 3:10 a.m. on State Highway 34/151 west of Darlington.
Authorities said a Kawasaki UTV was heading north on South Center Road when it crashed into the side of a westbound semi-truck.
Both people on the UTV were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities. Their names have not been made public at this time.
The truck driver was not injured in the collision, authorities said.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Darlington County crash. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When people hear about a crash between a UTV and an 18-wheeler, especially one that ends in fatalities, their first reaction is often a mix of shock and confusion. Understandably, they want answers: How did this happen? Was someone in the wrong? And are we getting the full story from the authorities?
In this particular case, we know that a UTV struck the side of a westbound semi-truck around 3:10 a.m. on State Highway 34/151. What we don’t know, at least not yet, is what led to that collision. That’s a crucial gap. Did the UTV cross into the truck’s path? Was the truck making a turn? Was either vehicle speeding or operating without proper lighting? Without more information, it’s impossible to understand the true cause.
When I investigate cases like this, I always focus on the evidence that can reveal what really happened. Unfortunately, official crash reports rarely provide the full picture. Here are some questions that still need answers in this case:
- Was the truck in motion or stopped at the time of impact? The nature of the damage and where it occurred on the truck can help tell that story, but that analysis requires access to photos, measurements and possibly surveillance or dashcam footage.
- What do the truck’s electronic records show? Most 18-wheelers these days are equipped with an engine control module (ECM) that logs speed, braking, steering and other key data. That “black box” can help clarify what the truck was doing just before the crash.
- Were both vehicles properly lit and visible? Given that the crash happened in the middle of the night, visibility is a major concern. If the UTV lacked adequate lighting or if the truck had poor side reflectors, that could significantly alter how we understand the sequence of events.
- Was impairment, distraction, or fatigue a factor for either driver? UTVs, unlike full-sized cars, don’t offer much protection in crashes, so even a small lapse in judgment by either party can have fatal consequences. Phone records, toxicology reports and witness interviews all help flesh this out.
From experience, I can say that these cases often turn on small details that go unnoticed in the immediate aftermath. I’ve worked on cases where a trucking company hired an unqualified driver, or where onboard camera footage contradicted what the driver told police. In others, poor visibility or careless loading practices turned a routine drive into a fatal encounter.
What’s clear is that even though the UTV appears to have hit the truck, that fact alone doesn’t settle the question of responsibility. Depending on the positioning, lighting and driver actions of both vehicles, the liability could fall on either side, or even both. The only way to know is through a comprehensive, independent investigation.
It’s not clear yet what caused the UTV to collide with the side of the semi-truck. Crucial evidence like ECM data, lighting conditions and driver behavior must be reviewed to determine fault. Without a full investigation, we can’t assume who, if anyone, was responsible. Nighttime crashes raise serious concerns about visibility and lighting on both vehicles. Getting to the truth requires more than a police report; it takes a careful analysis of all available data.
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