Two people were killed and five more injured Friday night in Newberry County when a car hit an ambulance that was on its way to an emergency.
The wreck happened around 9:20pm Friday on U.S. 76 in Newberry County, about 7.5 miles west of Newberry, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Troopers say a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta driven by Caroline Smith, 20, of Pawley’s Island was traveling west on the highway when an ambulance approached them from the rear with its sirens and lights activated. Smith moved to the right to allow the ambulance to pass, but troopers say her car moved back into the roadway and hit the ambulance in the eastbound lane.
A 23-year-old and 22-year-old who were sitting in the backseat of the Jetta died. Troopers did not identify the victims, but said they were both German. The other occupants of the Jetta were taken to Palmetto Health Richland, including Smith; the front seat passenger, Allen Butt, 20, of Beaufort; and backseat passenger Luke Thomas, 21, of Trenton.
The driver of the ambulance, Christopher Leagan, 28, of Prosperity, was taken to the emergency room in Newberry. The passenger, Ashley Stevens, 24, of Lexington, was taken to Palmetto Health Richland.
The injured victims’ current conditions are unavailable. Troopers said all drivers and passengers were wearing seatbelts. The accident is still under investigation, and no criminal charges have been issued.
