North Carolina Man Benjamin Winston Dies After SUV Crashes Off I-26 in Calhoun County Overnight Wreck
Benjamin Winston, 35, died in a crash on I-26 near St. Matthews, South Carolina after an SUV struck a barrier and others were injured.
A fatal overnight crash on Interstate 26 in South Carolina has claimed the life of a North Carolina man and left three others injured, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The collision occurred around 12:20 a.m. near the 133-mile marker west of St. Matthews and prompted a significant emergency response in the area as crews worked through the night.
Authorities said a 2025 Honda CR-V carrying four occupants was traveling eastbound on I-26 when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a concrete barrier. The impact caused severe damage to the SUV and led to life-threatening consequences for those inside.
Officials confirmed that the front-seat passenger, identified by the Calhoun County Coroner’s Office as 35-year-old Benjamin Winston of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was pronounced dead at the scene. His death has left family and loved ones mourning a sudden loss as authorities continue working to understand what led to the crash.
The three other occupants of the vehicle survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Authorities have not released updated information regarding their conditions, and it remains unclear the extent of injuries they suffered in the crash.
According to Lance Corporal Brittany Glover with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, investigators are still working to determine what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway. At this stage, officials have not indicated whether factors such as speed, distraction, or road conditions played a role in the incident.
Emergency crews remained on scene for an extended period overnight, managing traffic control, assisting the injured, and clearing debris from the interstate. The crash caused temporary disruption along the highway as investigators documented evidence and reconstructed the events leading up to the collision.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing. Further details will be released once additional evidence is reviewed and authorities are able to better determine the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash on I-26 near St. Matthews.
As the investigation continues, loved ones of Benjamin Winston are left grieving his sudden passing, while the community awaits answers about how the crash occurred. Officials say updates will be provided as new information becomes available through the ongoing Highway Patrol investigation.