Saturday, December 15, 2012

Greenwood, SC Highway 72

Cooper and I noticed this one as we were coming home this morning from Breakfast-  It's on the corner of the bypass in Greenwood near the Waffle House, we had not remembered seeing it before-  Says April Bryan Mar 07.

A female passenger on a motorcycle was killed Wednesday night in a
collision with a car at the intersection of Cross Creek Connector and
Highway 72 in Greenwood, near Buck Stove Pool & Spa. The victim’s name was
not released pending notification of her family. The driver of the
motorcycle, who friends and witnesses said was the woman’s husband, was
airlifted by helicopter to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment. A
spokesman at the hospital confirmed his arrival, but could not give a
status report as of 10:45 p.m. Three people were in the maroon four-door
sedan that reportedly struck the motorcycle about 8 p.m. — a driver, a
front-seat passenger and a child in the back seat, said Maj. James
Marshall, of Greenwood police. Those three were taken to Self Regional
Healthcare for treatment. Details of the wreck were not released pending
further investigation. “We’ve got so many witnesses to interview,” Marshall
said. “We really don’t know at this point (what happened).” He did say the
couple were ejected from the motorcycle, which came to rest under the
vehicle. The car ended up in the median, perpendicular to traffic.
Assisting at the scene was Greenwood County EMS and the State Highway
Patrol. Neither Marshall nor deputy coroner Steve Owings could confirm or
deny the victim was wearing a helmet. “We’ll find out, though,” Owings
said. He confirmed the woman’s death at the scene. Zachary Grindell, a
friend of the couple who was riding his motorcycle alongside them, told
authorities the victim was wearing a helmet. “She was the only one wearing
a helmet,” Grindell said. “That girl always wears her lid. ‘I live by
that.’ That’s the last thing she told me last night. “They are the sweetest
couple I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I’ve never seen two people more
meant for each other. And now they got a baby without a mother.” Zachary’s
mother, Jackie Grindell, said “last night I rode with them. We were just
slow cruising. I’ve even been on the back of (the male victim’s) bike. “It
doesn’t seem right. These are good kids. They were sober. They don’t drink
and drive. They don’t do drugs.” Looking over the debris from the wreck,
she sobbed, “There’s just no reason for that.” “The minute it happened,”
she cried, “(Zachary) started yelling for help. But he didn’t have a cell
phone or anything. He ran up to her, she looked up at him and died right
there in his arms. “I feel so much for him right now. He’s never even been
to a funeral.” A large crowd of curious onlookers watched from the sidewalk
in front of Greenwood Mall. The woman’s body remained in the second
eastbound lane covered by a white sheet for almost two hours before it was
finally placed in a body bag by EMS workers under the close supervision of
coroners. Traffic on Highway 72 East was detoured around the scene. A
single lane remained open on Highway 72 West.

I remember this one now-  she was 26 and left behind a 2 year old son.  Sad. 

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Highway 34 Newberry County SC

On the 25 mile or so stretch between Greenwood and Newberry, there are currently I think 4 shrines.  There seems to be one newer one, and two of the other three have been updated to a more permanent status. 

Caught these today on the way to drop Bette off on her drive to Memphis from Prosperity.....

This is one of the ones that has been upgraded a bit, with stones, solar lights and painting.  Can't remember the circumstances for this one, but probably a crash involving a logging truck....

Another similar upgrade to the one above-  more permanent now. 

This is the newer one, seems Renee didn't make it. 
A mother is clinging to life after her husband was killed in a five-vehicle wreck Sunday night.

Bruce Eric Cameron, 53, of Ninety Six, was killed around 9:18 p.m. Sunday in a series of four collisions involving five vehicles on Highway 34 near Highway 39 in Chappells.

Bruce and Renee Cameron were traveling towards Ninety Six when their motorcycle was involved in the wrecks, which was caused by a tree blocking the roadway. At the time of the wrecks, a summer thunderstorm was blowing through the area.

The motorcycle was pinned under a tractor-trailer which caught fire.

Bruce Cameron died at the scene due to a closed head injury due to blunt force trauma, said Newton, adding Bruce Cameron was identified through dental records.

Renee Cameron was taken to Self Memorial Hospital in Greenwood and was later transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital. Newton says she remains in very critical condition with her family at her bedside.

This is the first vehicle fatality in Newberry County in 2010, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Over the weekend, 10 people died on S.C. roadways. As of Sunday, 287 people died on S.C. highways this year compared to 323 for the same time period in 2009. Of the 223 motor vehicle occupants who died in 2010, 130 were not wearing seat belts.

Also 30 motorcyclists, 24 pedestrians and five bicyclists have died in wrecks in 2010.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Highway 34- Outside of Greenwood, SC


This shrine is for a young man as I remember, I believe a football player at 96.  It is an older shrine, that has had a good deal of prepetual care over the years, seems to me its been here for maybe 6 years or so.  Originally, there were many artifacts and road paintings here, evidently this was a popular young man.  Didn't see a name to research. 

The inscription says, "We love you."  At other times, there has been a football jersey here, and several smaller artifacts. 

New Greenwood Shrine, Highways 34 and 225

This is a new one for the Greenwood area, it actually seems to have a larger and smaller cross-  perhaps a double fatality....