All lanes on I-26 in Orangeburg open following fatal crash, Hazmat spill

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, SC (WCSC) - Officials with South Carolina Highway Patrol say all eastbound I-26 lanes in Orangeburg County are open following a fatal crash and Hazmat spill that shut down one lane for several hours on Friday.

The accident was reported at lunchtime near mile marker 159, which is the Bowman and Homestead Road exit.

At 4:56 p.m., SCDPS issued an advisory that one lane remained blocks and that motorists should use caution if traveling in the area. Officials with SCHP announced around 6:20 p.m. that all lanes had been opened.

According to the Orangeburg County Coroner's Office, Benjamin Amstutz of West Columbia died on the scene of the accident from blunt force head trauma sustained from the accident.

No details on the nature of the hazardous material reported spilled has been released.

Photos sent by witnesses show a large overturned truck. Witnesses reported traffic backups as far as 15 miles.

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