CHAPIN, S.C. — A mother and child are dead, and two others were sent to the hospital following an early morning collision on I-26 westbound near Chapin on Thursday.
LaRhonda Davis Gibson, 47, and 23-month-old Ketron Menteze Gibson Jr. of Newberry were killed in the accident, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.
The accident happened around 2:45 a.m. Thursday, August 29, near mile marker 90, close to the county lines of Newberry and Lexington.
Authorities say Gibson, driving a 2014 Nissan sedan, was traveling westbound on I-26 when she and a tractor-trailer slowed down for traffic. A pickup struck the rear of Gibson’s vehicle, causing her to hit the rear of the tractor-trailer.
Both victims were pronounced dead on the scene due to the injuries sustained in the accident.
The occupant of the tractor-trailer was not injured and remained on the scene.
The pickup had two occupants who were transported to an area hospital with injuries.
The crash closed all westbound lanes for more than seven hours, and traffic was rerouted in the area. Around 10:15 a.m., Interstate 26 West reopened to traffic.
South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.