On July 9, 2023, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies were called to Keans Neck Road and Coakley Drive in Dale, SC regarding a drag racing complaint. The original caller reported that the road was shut down because vehicles were blocking the roadway to race cars.
Deputies arrived in the area at approximately 8:37 p.m. and observed nearly 150 vehicles parked alongside Coakley Drive and Keans Neck Road. Vehicles began dispersing from the area.
While conducting traffic enforcement in the area, a black Chevrolet was observed by a deputy speeding as it was traveling on Keans Neck Road.
At approximately 8:45, a traffic stop was initiated with the speeding vehicle at the corner of Keans Neck Road and Kinloch Road, near Albany’s Grocery.
The vehicle attempted to elude the deputy and failed to stop for blue lights/siren when signaled and accelerated away from the deputy.
The vehicle failed to negotiate a curve on Kinloch Road and struck a tree.
One of the vehicle’s occupants was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second passenger was ejected from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
