Highway Patrol warns drivers on US-21 in Orangeburg County

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. – One person died in a car accident on Columbia Road (US-21) in Orangeburg County a week ago. Five days later, four people were killed in a car accident on the same road.

One of these victims was just 9 years old.

Lance Corporal Brittany Glover of the SC Highway Patrol says extra caution should be used when driving on Columbia Road.

“We are simply asking motorists to adhere to the posted speed limit, which is 55. Also pay attention to the yellow lines as these only trace back to the regular riders’ line – if your line is dotted then you can get through. If it’s a solid yellow line, you can’t pass your line.”

RELATED: 9-year-old girl dies in Orangeburg crash that killed four people

Sharon Moss lives in Orangeburg and lost a loved one in a traffic accident on the same street.

“Well, my daughter’s best friend in high school got into an accident on this road. Moss said. “It was just girls walking home from school and they had an accident. Her best friend died and two of the other girls ended up in the hospital with serious injuries.”

Moss said the recent accidents are a sign that something needs to be done about safety on Columbia Road.

RELATED: Four dead after crash on US 21 in Orangeburg County

“It tells us something we need to do something about,” Moss said. “Maybe we need to slow down traffic. “I don’t know if we can do it, but we have to do something.”

Glover said drivers should follow safety protocols, especially during the 100 deadliest days of the summer, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

“So in a hundred deadly summer days, we see an increase in traffic fatalities,” Glover said. “Of course, this is around Memorial Day, so as I said, we are still asking motorists to follow the posted speed limit.” If you get tired, you can go to a rest area and if someone is riding in the car, just get out and make sure they have a valid driver’s license.”

The latest accident remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol.