Enforcement

50-vehicle pileup shuts down I-95 in South Carolina; 15 semis involved

Dense fog was reported at the Thursday morning crash on the southbound I-95 bridge near mile marker 100 — 11 people were hospitalized and the southbound lanes face an extended closure.

By CDLWire · Published October 1, 2026

Summarized from CDLLife.

Semi trucks and cars in a foggy multi-vehicle pileup on an interstate bridge with emergency vehicles responding

The South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to a major multi-vehicle pileup on Thursday morning on the southbound I-95 bridge near mile marker 100, at the Orangeburg/Clarendon County line near Santee.

An estimated 50 vehicles were involved, including 15 tractor-trailers, according to WCSC. Eleven people were hospitalized with minor injuries.

Northbound I-95 has reopened, though traffic is moving slowly. Southbound I-95 is expected to remain closed for an extended period while crews clear the bridge. "Plan is in place and we are working to clear the bridge. Unfortunately it will take an extended period of time to do so," Trooper Nick with the South Carolina Highway Patrol posted Thursday.

The cause of the pileup is under investigation, but dense fog was reported in the area on Thursday morning.

Why it matters: A fog-related 50-vehicle pileup on a key freight corridor — with 15 big rigs in the mix — is a reminder to slow down and space out when visibility drops, and to check routing if you are headed through the Carolinas today.