Fog Pileup on I-95: 15 Trucks Caught in Bridge Crash

What happened

A fog pileup shut down Interstate 95 in South Carolina on Thursday morning, Oct. 1. It happened on the southbound bridge over Lake Marion, between Clarendon and Orangeburg counties, near mile marker 100.

Thick fog covered the bridge. Drivers could not see far ahead. WIS News 10 reports they had no time to stop.

Counts from news outlets differ, from about 50 to 69 vehicles. Both WIS and CDLLife say 15 of them were tractor-trailers.

WIS reports at least two people were seriously injured. Others had minor injuries. One person was flown to a hospital. Rescuers freed four people who were trapped. No one died.

The southbound lanes stayed closed for hours. Traffic was sent off at Exit 102 while crews cleaned up into the evening. Officials have not given a final cause yet.

What it means for owner-operators

Fog is one of the most dangerous things you can drive into. It can show up fast, often in the early morning, and it is worst near lakes, rivers and low ground. Bridges are a trap. There is no shoulder to pull onto and no way off.

A loaded truck needs much more room to stop than a car. If the car ahead stops and you cannot see it, you may have no chance.

When one truck is in a pileup, the costs come fast. There is damage to your truck, the load and other vehicles. There may be injuries and lawsuits. There is time off the road. Your safety record can follow you to your next insurance renewal.

This crash was in South Carolina. But fall mornings bring fog to Texas too, along the coast, in the Rio Grande Valley and near rivers and lakes.

What to do next

• Slow down before you enter fog, not after. Drive at a speed that lets you stop inside the distance you can see.
• Leave much more space than normal to the vehicle ahead.
• Use low beams and fog lights. High beams bounce off the fog and make it worse.
• Turn off cruise control. Keep both hands ready.
• If you cannot see, get fully off the road at a safe exit or lot. Do not stop in a travel lane or on a bridge.
• Check the weather and road reports before early runs. Wait out heavy fog when you can.
• Keep a dash cam running. Video helps show what really happened.
• Know what your policy pays for after a crash. Read our first hour after a truck accident guide and our trucking insurance coverage guide.