Hemingway man killed, 2 drivers airlifted to hospital after crash in Clarendon County

CLARENDON COUNTY – A 71-year-old man was killed in a head-on collision on U.S. 527 Monday afternoon near the Clarendon and Williamsburg county line.

“William Franks of Hemingway, a passenger in one of the vehicles, died at the scene around 4:28 p.m.,” Clarendon County Coroner Bucky Mock said Tuesday morning. “Franks’ cause of death was blunt-force trauma.”

A 2013 Nissan was traveling south of U.S. 527 when the vehicle crossed the center line, striking a 2018 Ford Explorer that was traveling north on U.S. 527, according to Cpl. Sonny Collins with South Carolina Highway Patrol.

It is unknown at this time if he was wearing a seat belt, Collins said.

The trooper said both drivers were wearing seat belts and were airlifted to McLeod Health in Florence. 
Collins said the wreck is under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.