OCONEE COUNTY, South Carolina (September 23, 2025) — A deadly chain-reaction crash involving four vehicles and a tractor-trailer claimed the life of 34-year-old Rafael B. Veloz of Buford, Georgia, Tuesday morning on Interstate 85, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Accident Details: The crash happened around 6 a.m. near mile marker 2, close to the Georgia–South Carolina state line. Investigators reported that a 2016 Freightliner tractor-trailer rear-ended a 2013 Honda sedan slowing for construction traffic. The impact pushed the Honda into a 2019 Chevrolet pickup, which then struck a 1998 Chevrolet pickup. Both the Honda and the tractor-trailer crossed the median and collided head-on with a 2015 Chevrolet pickup. Veloz, who was driving the Honda, was trapped in the vehicle and extricated by first responders but died from his injuries shortly after 7 a.m. Three other drivers were transported to hospitals with injuries. The tractor-trailer driver was unhurt.
Safety and Legal Considerations: Tractor-trailer crashes on major highways often result in devastating consequences due to the sheer size and force of the vehicles involved. In this case, investigators will examine whether the truck driver was speeding, distracted, or following too closely in a construction zone. Liability may extend not only to the driver but also to the trucking company, particularly if maintenance issues or violations of federal safety regulations are discovered. Injured victims may pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, while the family of Rafael Veloz may have grounds for a wrongful death claim.
The collision also highlights the dangers of work-zone driving. Construction zones create sudden slowdowns, and heavy trucks require longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles. Failure to adjust speed and maintain distance in these conditions can lead to catastrophic, multi-vehicle crashes like this one.
As the investigation continues, the South Carolina Highway Patrol is urging motorists to drive cautiously through construction areas and remain vigilant around tractor-trailers.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rafael B. Veloz during this difficult time.
Source: WYFF4