HANAHAN, SC — A Thursday evening train collision claimed the life of 53-year-old Byron L. Hickmon, leaving authorities and community members searching for answers about the tragic incident near Northbrook Drive. The Berkeley County Coroner’s Office confirmed the local resident was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck around 5 p.m. in an industrial area bordering Eagle Landing Boulevard.
Investigators from multiple agencies combed the rail corridor Friday, documenting evidence while grappling with the central question of how Hickmon came to be on the tracks. “We’re examining all possibilities, including accidental wandering or intentional acts,” said Hanahan Police Chief Dennis Turner, noting the absence of nearby pedestrian crossings. The Norfolk Southern train operator reportedly sounded warnings but couldn’t stop the massive freight train in time—a common challenge given trains often require over a mile to brake.
The tragedy highlights persistent rail safety issues in Berkeley County, where 12 train-related fatalities have occurred since 2018. Local safety advocates point to the area’s mix of residential and industrial zones as particularly hazardous, with many workers taking shortcuts across active tracks. “These tracks have claimed too many lives,” said community organizer Lydia Greene, who’s pushing for additional fencing and warning systems along high-risk stretches.
Hickmon’s neighbors described the lifelong Hanahan resident as a quiet man who frequently walked the area. His death has reignited discussions about mental health resources and rail safety education in a community bisected by multiple active lines. The coroner’s office awaits toxicology results while CSX police assist in reviewing the train’s forward-facing cameras and event recorder data.
As investigators work to reconstruct Hickmon’s final moments, the South Carolina Department of Transportation announced plans to audit crossing safety along this corridor. Meanwhile, Hickmon’s family has requested privacy as they mourn their loss, with friends leaving flowers near the accident site.
Authorities remind residents that trespassing on railroad property carries both deadly risks and legal consequences, urging anyone in crisis to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The full investigation may take weeks to complete.
