SENECA, S.C. — A two-vehicle collision before dawn Thursday proved fatal for a local mother, marking Oconee County’s latest roadway tragedy.
The Oconee County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 41-year-old Heather Hughes of Seneca, who died Thursday night at Greenville Memorial Hospital from injuries sustained in the 4:40 a.m. crash on Shiloh Road. The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision near Seneca.
“This loss has devastated our community,” said Coroner Karl Addis during a Friday morning press briefing. “We extend our deepest sympathies to Heather’s family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.”
The crash occurred along a rural stretch of Shiloh Road that neighbors describe as notoriously dangerous in low-light conditions. Preliminary reports indicate both vehicles sustained extensive damage, requiring mechanical extraction of at least one driver. Hughes was initially transported to Prisma Health Oconee Memorial before being airlifted to Greenville for higher-level care.
The Highway Patrol has not released details about the other driver’s condition or potential contributing factors. Investigators are examining whether weather, road conditions, or other elements played a role in the pre-dawn collision.
A makeshift memorial of flowers and notes has appeared near the crash site as friends remember Hughes as a devoted mother and active community member. Local churches are organizing meal trains for the grieving family while authorities complete their investigation.
This marks Oconee County’s third traffic fatality of 2024. The coroner’s office reminds drivers to exercise extreme caution during early morning hours when visibility is limited and fatigue may impair reaction times.