Florence, South Carolina (February 12, 2026) — A 66-year-old Florence man died following a Thursday night crash involving a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer on East Palmetto Street, according to local authorities.
Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken identified the victim as Laverne Spates, 66, of Florence. Spates was transported to a hospital after the collision but later succumbed to his injuries. The crash occurred on East Palmetto Street near Firetower Road in Florence.
Incident Details: According to initial reports, the collision involved a passenger vehicle driven by Spates and a tractor-trailer. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported Spates to a local medical facility for treatment of serious injuries. Despite medical efforts, he later died at the hospital.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the sequence of events leading up to the crash, including which vehicle may have had the right of way or whether roadway conditions played a role. The identity and condition of the tractor-trailer driver have not been disclosed, and officials have not reported any additional injuries.
East Palmetto Street is a well-traveled roadway in Florence, and collisions involving commercial trucks can have devastating consequences due to the significant size and weight differences between passenger vehicles and tractor-trailers.
Investigation: The South Carolina Highway Patrol is actively investigating the crash. As part of a standard investigation involving a commercial vehicle, authorities will likely examine several key factors, including vehicle speed, braking patterns, traffic signal timing, and driver attentiveness.
In tractor-trailer crashes, investigators often review driver logbooks, electronic logging device (ELD) data, and maintenance records to determine whether the commercial vehicle was being operated in compliance with federal and state safety regulations. Reconstruction specialists may analyze impact points, debris patterns, skid marks, and vehicle damage to establish how and where the collision occurred.
Investigators may also evaluate visibility conditions at the time of the crash, roadway lighting, and whether any mechanical failures contributed to the incident. At this time, officials have not indicated whether impairment, distraction, or weather conditions were factors.
No citations or charges have been announced. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the precise cause of the collision.
Legal Considerations: Crashes involving tractor-trailers frequently involve complex legal questions. Commercial truck drivers and the companies that employ them are subject to heightened safety standards under both state and federal regulations. These include rules governing hours of service, vehicle inspection requirements, cargo securement, and driver qualifications.
In the event of a fatal collision, investigators and civil attorneys may assess whether the commercial driver acted with reasonable care given the circumstances, and if the trucking company fulfilled its responsibilities for training, supervision, and vehicle maintenance. Establishing liability in commercial vehicle accidents often involves a thorough review of accident reconstruction data and compliance with regulations.
Depending on the investigation’s results, the Spates family might be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. These claims could cover funeral costs, lost financial support, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one.
I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Laverne Spates during this challenging time.
Source: WPDE