Two Deadly Crashes on Savannah Highway in Charleston County: What Happened and What Families Should Know

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Two Deadly Crashes on Savannah Highway in Charleston County: What Happened and What Families Should Know

Two people recently lost their lives in separate rear-end collisions on Savannah Highway in Charleston County on the evening of Tuesday, March 11, 2026. The first crash occurred near Archies Drive in Ravenel just after 8 p.m. when a Jeep Cherokee rear-ended a Chevrolet Silverado that was towing a boat, killing 65-year-old Daniel Max Kirkman of Ravenel. Less than an hour later, a second fatal collision took place near Main Road when a vehicle rear-ended a Freightliner truck that was stopped at a red light, killing 20-year-old Kyrese Ancrum of Hollywood, South Carolina. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating both crashes, and the Charleston County Coroner’s Office has identified both victims. Both drivers were the sole occupants of their vehicles.

Losing a Loved One in a Car Accident Is Devastating. You Don’t Have to Face It Alone

If you or a loved one were involved in this accident or a similar incident in the Charleston area, the legal team at Hughey Law Firm is here to help. Auto accident cases involving a death and/or commercial vehicle add legal complexities that almost require an experienced lawyer to help you handle. Read on for details about the accident, the legal principles that may apply, and how to protect your rights. Contact us today at (843) 881-8644 or contact us through our website to speak with an experienced South Carolina car accident and wrongful death attorney.

Accident Details

CRASH 1: RAVENEL (SAVANNAH HIGHWAY NEAR ARCHIES DRIVE)
Accident Type	Fatal rear-end car accident
Date	Tuesday, March 11, 2026
Time	Shortly after 8:00 p.m.
Location	4500 block of Savannah Highway near Archies Drive, Ravenel, Charleston County, SC
Victim	Daniel Max Kirkman, 65, of Ravenel
Vehicles Involved	Jeep Cherokee (Kirkman) and Chevrolet Silverado towing a boat trailer
Fatalities	1 (driver of the Jeep Cherokee)
Investigating Agency	Charleston County Sheriff’s Office

CRASH 2: NEAR MAIN ROAD (SAVANNAH HIGHWAY)
Accident Type	Fatal rear-end collision involving a commercial vehicle
Date	Tuesday, March 11, 2026
Time	Shortly before 9:00 p.m.
Location	Savannah Highway near Main Road, Charleston County, SC
Victim	Kyrese Ancrum, 20, of Hollywood, SC
Vehicles Involved	Passenger vehicle (Ancrum) and a Freightliner truck
Fatalities	1 (driver of the passenger vehicle)
Investigating Agency	Charleston County Sheriff’s Office

What Happened on Savannah Highway Tuesday Night

Savannah Highway, a major corridor connecting Charleston to communities in Ravenel, Hollywood, and Johns Island, became the scene of back-to-back tragedies on Tuesday evening. The first collision unfolded in the 4500 block of Savannah Highway near Archies Drive in Ravenel just after 8 p.m. According to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, a Chevrolet Silverado towing a boat was slowing down on the roadway when a Jeep Cherokee traveling behind it struck the Silverado from behind. The force of the impact caused the boat trailer to break free and strike the truck bed of the Silverado.

Daniel Max Kirkman, the 65-year-old Ravenel resident driving the Cherokee, was the only person in his vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal.

Less than an hour later, deputies responded to a second fatal crash on the same road. Near the intersection of Savannah Highway and Main Road, a Freightliner truck was traveling southbound and had stopped at a red light when another vehicle rear-ended it. Kyrese Ancrum, a 20-year-old from Hollywood, South Carolina, was driving the vehicle that struck the Freightliner. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Charleston County EMS. He was the sole occupant of his vehicle as well.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has asked anyone with information about either crash to call 843-202-1700.

Understanding Liability in Rear-End Collisions in South Carolina

Rear-end collisions are one of the most frequent types of car accidents on South Carolina roads, and they carry a strong legal presumption. In the vast majority of cases, the driver who strikes the vehicle ahead is considered at fault. That’s because every driver has a legal duty to maintain a safe following distance and to be prepared to stop when traffic ahead slows or comes to a halt. When a trailing driver fails to meet that duty, whether because of distraction, excessive speed, impairment, or simply not paying attention, they can be held financially responsible for the resulting injuries and deaths.

Both of Tuesday night’s crashes involved a trailing vehicle colliding with a vehicle that was slowing down or stopped. While the official investigation is ongoing, these are circumstances that often point to the trailing driver’s failure to keep a safe distance. South Carolina’s car accident laws allow victims and their families to pursue compensation when another party’s negligence caused the collision.

When a Car Accident Takes a Life: Wrongful Death Claims in South Carolina

When a car accident kills someone because another person acted carelessly or recklessly, South Carolina law gives the victim’s family the right to file a wrongful death claim. Under South Carolina Code §15-51-10, wrongful death is defined as a death caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another party. That party can be an individual, a company, or any other entity whose negligence contributed to the fatal accident.

A wrongful death lawsuit must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, on behalf of the surviving family members. Wrongful death claims in South Carolina can seek compensation for a range of losses, including:

Medical expenses from the victim’s final injury and treatment
Funeral and burial costs
Lost income the deceased would have earned over their lifetime
Loss of care, companionship, and guidance for surviving family members
Mental anguish experienced by the family as a result of their loved one’s death

South Carolina law generally allows three years from the date of the accident to file a wrongful death lawsuit under SC Code §15-3-530. However, every case is different, and the specifics of the situation can affect this timeline. Speaking with an attorney soon after a fatal accident is one of the most important steps a family can take to preserve their legal options.

South Carolina’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence standard. If you or a loved one was involved in an accident and the other side tries to argue that you shared some of the blame, it does not necessarily eliminate your right to recover compensation. You can still pursue a claim as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%. Your total recovery will be reduced by whatever percentage of responsibility is assigned to you. Insurance companies frequently try to shift blame onto accident victims to minimize what they owe, which is one of the key reasons having an experienced attorney matters in these situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can file a wrongful death claim after a fatal car accident in South Carolina?

Under South Carolina law, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the personal representative (also called the executor or administrator) of the deceased person’s estate. This person acts on behalf of the surviving spouse, children, or other beneficiaries. If no personal representative has been appointed, the court can appoint one. An experienced wrongful death attorney can guide families through this process and help ensure the right person is named to bring the claim.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit after a car accident in South Carolina?

South Carolina’s statute of limitations generally provides three years from the date of the accident to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Missing this deadline can mean losing your right to pursue compensation entirely. Because building a strong case requires time to investigate, gather evidence, and work with experts, reaching out to a lawyer sooner rather than later gives your family the best chance at a fair outcome.

Is the trailing driver always at fault in a rear-end collision?

In most rear-end collisions, yes. South Carolina law requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance and to be prepared to stop. Because of this, there is a strong legal presumption that the trailing driver was negligent. There are rare exceptions, such as when the lead vehicle’s brake lights are not working or when a third vehicle forces one car into another. However, the trailing driver bears the burden of proving those circumstances existed.

What compensation can families recover in a South Carolina wrongful death case?

Families may be able to recover compensation for medical bills from the victim’s final treatment, funeral and burial expenses, the income the deceased would have earned, loss of companionship and guidance, and the mental anguish caused by the unexpected death. The exact amount depends on the facts of each case. An attorney can evaluate the full scope of a family’s losses and pursue the compensation they deserve.

Should I speak with insurance companies after a family member is killed in a car accident?

It is generally wise to avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and statements made in the immediate aftermath of a loss can be taken out of context or used to reduce the value of your claim. An attorney can communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf and protect your family’s interests throughout the process.

Your Family Deserves Answers and Accountability After a Fatal Charleston County Accident

Nathan Hughey, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyer in South Carolina

Losing someone you love in a car accident leaves a wound that no amount of money can heal. But a wrongful death claim can provide financial stability for the family left behind, hold the responsible party accountable, and help prevent the same kind of tragedy from happening to someone else. The attorneys at Hughey Law Firm have recovered over $300 million in verdicts and settlements for clients across South Carolina, including families devastated by fatal car accidents on roads just like Savannah Highway.

The consultation is free, and your family pays nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Your fees come from the proceeds of your settlement or verdict, never from your own pocket.

If your family has been affected by one of these crashes, or any car accident in Charleston County, we are ready to listen. Call Hughey Law Firm today at (843) 881-8644, fill out our contact form, or chat with us live on our website.

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Nathan Hughey

Nathan Hughey, an attorney and fourth-generation South Carolinian, founded Hughey Law Firm in 2007. Before that, he spent five years defending nursing homes and insurance companies. Leveraging his experience, he now advocates for those injured or wronged by such entities, securing over $300 million in verdicts and settlements.

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