09/06/2026
Sorry, long post incoming. Well, actually we are not sorry. Today, we proved what Colleton County is all about! TEAM WORK, without it there is no dream. Please read the following in its entirety. We are so thankful for this community and all those who answered the call!
COLLETON COUNTY- An overturned semi-truck blocked both southbound lanes of Interstate 95 near the 55 mile marker southbound, Saturday afternoon 05-Sept at 13:37. The northbound semi-truck, hauling a horse trailer, had a suspected front right tire blowout causing the truck to swerve into the median. The truck struck the guardrail under the Beach Road overpass, taking out approximately 100 feet of guardrail before entering the median. The truck rolled over on the passenger side and slid into the southbound lanes, striking the cab of a southbound semi-truck. The overturned truck, which was transporting a race horse, blocked all southbound lanes. The horse suffered multiple non-life threatening injuries from being trapped. One leg was stuck in a side window of the trailer. Firefighter-Paramedics, three of whom had experience working with horses, were able to calm the animal from another open window on the back of the trailer. Crews used ladders to reach the top of the trailer and enter the compartment in an attempt to free the animal. Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) fans were used to blow cooler air into the compartment and cool water was provided to the horse during the extrication. Temperatures were above 95 degrees midday Saturday, which made for difficult conditions for responders and the patient. Crews attempted to remove a portion of the trailer, but the loud noises from the tools frightened the horse. Colleton County Animal Services was requested and responded to the scene. Crews also contacted local Veterinarian Lori Campbell, who responded to the scene and coordinated with Charleston Equine. Veterinarian Dr. Brittany Carney, from Charleston Equine Clinic, responded to the scene. Firefighter-Paramedics and animal services continued to calm the horse until the veterinarians were able to sedate her enough for crews to perform the extrication. Once sedated, crews used Holmatro Pentheon rescue tools to cut the window guard from the side window to free her leg. They then used the rescue tools and a K-12 saw to remove a portion of the rear wall of the trailer. A space large enough for the horse to exit the trailer was cut. Gerald's Wrecker service used a winch to pull this section off of the trailer. The animal was able to exit the trailer on her own and was placed in transport trailer provided by Colleton County Animal Services. the horse was transported to Charleston Equine's facility for further treatment of her injuries. Once the horse was freed, Gerald's and Eric Bailey's large wreckers righted the truck and quickly cleared the debris from the highway. The truck driver was evaluated by Firefighter-Paramedics at the scene, but he did not require ambulance transportation to a medical facility. The driver of the second semi-truck did not received any injuries.
Southbound traffic on I-95 backed up for several miles. SCDOT erected a detour at Exit 57 routing traffic through Walterboro for several hours. The Interstate was reopened three and half hours later. Bentons Feed and Seed brought fresh hay to the scene to feed the horse. The coordinated operation ran well with everyone pitching in to save the injured horse. The South Carolina Highway Patrol and South Carolina Department of Public Safety (STP) Police are investigating the crash.
Colleton County Sheriff's Office Walterboro Police Department The Press and Standard
