SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — Authorities have identified the victim of a deadly single-vehicle crash that occurred Sunday night in Sumter County. The coroner confirmed that 31-year-old Damien Waiters, a resident of Richland County, lost his life following the tragic wreck.
According to Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker, the crash happened around 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 261 North and Richbow Road. Emergency crews responded to the scene after receiving reports of a vehicle that had left the roadway and sustained heavy damage.
Waiters was transported to a nearby hospital following the crash but sadly succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival, Baker said. The coroner’s office is now working with the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) to determine the events that led to the fatal accident.
Officials have not yet released details about what caused the crash, including whether speed, impairment, or road conditions may have been factors. No other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the incident, and authorities have not indicated if anyone witnessed the wreck.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Troopers are expected to review physical evidence from the scene and conduct a full reconstruction to better understand how the vehicle lost control.
The death of Damien Waiters has left family and friends mourning the sudden loss of a young man whose life ended far too soon. As the investigation continues, officials are urging all drivers to exercise caution, particularly during nighttime hours when visibility is reduced and roadway hazards can be harder to detect.