Eight killed on SC Roadways over Thanksgiving Weekend

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces eight people were killed on state roadways during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which ran from Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 6pm until Sunday, Nov. 26, at midnight. Three of those deaths occurred over the weekend. There were 16 deaths during the 2016 Thanksgiving travel period. As of Nov. 26, 2017, 868 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 932 highway deaths during the same time period in 2016. Locally, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety lists Anderson County with 41 deaths in 2017 compared to 56 in 2016. Pickens County reports 20 roadway fatalities in 2017 and 18 in 2016. Oconee County has experienced 16 deaths in 2017 compared to 10 in 2016 at this same time. Of the 579 motor vehicle occupants who have died statewide in 2017, 279 were not wearing seat belts. Through midnight Nov. 26, 137 pedestrians have died compared to 131 in 2016; 107 motorcyclists have died compared to 138 in 2016; and 17 bicyclists have died compared to 24 in 2016 on state roadways.