Jiabiao Zeng Killed in Dorchester County Pedestrian Accident
59-year-old New York man struck by commercial fuel truck while assisting disabled motorist
Jiabiao Zeng, 59, of New Springville, New York, was killed in a pedestrian crash on Interstate 26 in Dorchester County early Thursday, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The incident remains under investigation by state troopers and the Dorchester County Coroner's Office. No charges have been announced. The crash occurred just after 2 a.m. near mile marker 183 on the westbound side of the highway. The 59-year-old man was outside his vehicle attempting to assist a disabled Honda Odyssey when a Volkswagen commercial fuel tractor-trailer struck him.
Zeng was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:34 a.m. The driver of the commercial truck was not injured.
South Carolina ranks among the worst states nationally for pedestrian deaths, with 156 pedestrian fatalities reported in 2024 (NHTSA FARS data), placing it 7th in the nation by fatality rate per 100,000 population.
Why are pedestrian accidents frequent on South Carolina interstates?
The Interstate 26 corridor carries heavy commercial traffic through Dorchester County, creating severe risks for stranded drivers. When pedestrians are struck by commercial vehicles on high-speed highways, investigators must examine driver logs, electronic data recorders, and visibility conditions.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Roadway design plays a bigger role in fatal pedestrian crashes than most realize, especially where crosswalks sit far apart or lighting stays poor after dark. Traffic engineers rarely account for walking patterns near busy corridors."
"An attorney evaluates municipal records and prior complaints about dangerous intersections, helping surviving relatives understand whether negligence beyond a driver contributed to a preventable tragedy," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Families who lose a loved one in a commercial vehicle collision often face immediate contact from corporate insurance adjusters. Independent investigations help preserve critical evidence, including skid marks and vehicle telemetry, before it is lost or destroyed.
South Carolina wrongful death statute
Under S.C. Code § 15-51-10, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. South Carolina applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and mental shock and suffering.
"Physical evidence like skid marks, vehicle hood dents, shattered windshield glass, and dropped personal items help experts determine exactly where a pedestrian was struck," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal teams work alongside crash reconstruction specialists to review these physical details, giving grieving families an accurate and clear accounting of how the collision occurred."