CENTRAL, S.C. — Authorities in Pickens County are investigating a fatal collision that claimed the life of a 26-year-old motorcyclist following a crash involving a CATbus in Central on Monday afternoon. The tragic incident occurred around 4:20 p.m. on October 13 along West Main Street near Vickery Drive, prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
According to the Pickens County Coroner’s Office, first responders arrived to find the motorcycle rider suffering from severe injuries. Despite life-saving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been identified as Jacob Babayan, a resident of Greer, South Carolina. No other injuries were reported among the passengers or driver of the public transit bus.
Investigators said the CATbus was operating on its regular route when the crash occurred. However, officials have not yet released details on how the collision happened or what factors might have contributed to the deadly accident. Authorities are currently reviewing traffic camera footage and speaking with witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
The Central Police Department, working in collaboration with the Pickens County Coroner’s Office, continues to analyze evidence and collect statements from those who may have seen the incident. The section of West Main Street near the crash site was closed for several hours Monday evening as investigators documented the scene and cleared the wreckage. Motorists were urged to take alternate routes until the roadway was fully reopened.
Community members have taken to social media to express their condolences and remember Babayan, describing him as a kindhearted and hardworking young man who loved motorcycles and outdoor adventures. “He was always smiling, always ready to help,” one friend shared in an online tribute. The tragedy has deeply affected both his family and those who knew him in the local riding community.
As the investigation remains ongoing, authorities have not announced whether any charges are expected. The Pickens County Coroner’s Office will conduct further examinations as part of its standard procedure, and findings will be shared with law enforcement once finalized. Officials urge anyone with dashcam footage or information related to the crash to contact the Central Police Department as they work to determine what led to this heartbreaking loss.