Dense fog triggers massive 69-vehicle pileup on I-95 bridge in South Carolina

Key points

• The crash occurred Thursday morning on a bridge over Lake Marion in Clarendon and Orangeburg counties, S.C., triggered by dense fog that drastically reduced visibility.
• A total of 69 vehicles were involved, including 15 eighteen-wheelers and 54 other cars, according to Santee Fire officials.
• Four people were trapped in vehicles, and at least two suffered serious injuries. One individual was airlifted by helicopter, while others were treated for minor injuries.
• Southbound lanes of I-95 between mile markers 98 and 100 remained closed through Thursday evening for cleanup. Traffic was rerouted at Exit 102.
• No deaths were reported in the incident.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of severe multi-vehicle crashes on South Carolina interstates in 2026. In August, a fatal crash involving a tour bus occurred on Interstate 26 in Spartanburg County. Earlier in the month, an excavator strike on a bridge over I-65 in Alabama caused injuries and closures. These events highlight the vulnerability of interstate bridges and high-traffic corridors to both mechanical failures and environmental conditions like fog.

How outlets are covering it

WIS-TV reported the highest vehicle count at 69, including 15 trucks and 54 cars, and detailed the fog conditions and entrapments. Live 5 News reported a lower count of 50 vehicles but confirmed the 15 tractor-trailers and 11 minor injuries. WYFF initially reported 40 vehicles and noted a fire, while WCIV focused on the traffic backup and closure near mile marker 100. All sources agree on the fog cause, the location, and the extended closure of southbound lanes, but differ on the exact number of vehicles involved, with WIS-TV providing the most comprehensive count.

Why it matters

The crash underscores the extreme danger posed by sudden weather changes on major interstate bridges. The involvement of multiple tractor-trailers and the resulting entrapments highlight the need for improved fog detection and warning systems on high-traffic corridors. The extended closure also demonstrates the significant logistical impact such incidents have on regional transportation networks.

What to watch

Cleanup operations continued through Thursday evening, with crews working to remove wreckage from the bridge. Authorities urged motorists to avoid the area and use alternate routes. The condition of the airlifted patient remained unknown, and no further updates on the closure timeline were provided as of the latest reports.