Lorraine Crawford Killed in Aiken County Car Accident
The 70-year-old passenger died at the hospital two days after a rear-end collision on Augusta Road
Lorraine Crawford, 70, of Warrenville, was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Augusta Road at Old Aiken Road in Aiken County on July 7, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
A northbound 2025 Kia Forte struck the back of a 2024 Chrysler Pacifica at approximately 2:46 p.m. The impact caused heavy damage to the vehicles. Crawford, who was a passenger in the Kia, was taken to Wellstar MCG for treatment. She died from her injuries at 1:38 a.m. on July 9, the coroner's office said.
The Highway Patrol and the Aiken County Coroner's Office are investigating the crash.
No charges have been announced.
Why did the Kia Forte rear-end the vehicle on Augusta Road?
Investigators will examine all factors leading up to the rear-end collision, including speed, distraction, and whether impairment played a role.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Braking capability often becomes the real question in a rear-end crash, since worn brake pads or a delayed pedal response can turn a survivable gap into a sudden, violent impact. Mechanics and engineers frequently get called in to test stopping distance under similar roadway conditions."
"An attorney arranging that kind of testing early can protect findings before a vehicle gets repaired or sold off entirely," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
The crash adds to a rising toll across the state — Official data shows South Carolina recorded 1,047 traffic death in 2023.
What are the legal options for a passenger's family?
Because Crawford was a passenger, she bears no fault for the collision. Families in this situation often need to handle claims against the at-fault driver's insurance.
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.
"Serving as an advocate, an attorney frequently warns against signing early settlement paperwork before medical and financial records are fully and carefully reviewed. Waiting through this evaluation period helps surviving relatives avoid accepting compensation that falls short of actual losses," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.