Berkeley County, SC – A 32-year-old man from McClellanville was killed in a tragic car crash on Wednesday morning. David Lee died when the 2008 Toyota sedan he was driving collided with a tree in Berkeley County. According to officials, the incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. near the intersection of S.C. 41 and Jericho Horse Trail, close to Little Hellhole Bay in the Cordesville area.
Details of the Crash
South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) Cpl. Nick Pye reported that Lee was traveling south on S.C. 41 when the Toyota veered off the right side of the road and crashed into a tree. Tragically, Lee succumbed to his injuries at the scene, as confirmed by the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office.
The coroner’s office has classified the crash as an accident, but no further details about the cause of the vehicle leaving the road have been made public. There were no other individuals involved in the collision, and no injuries were reported.
Ongoing Investigation
At this time, it is unclear whether Lee was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Rising Road Fatalities in South Carolina
Lee’s death marks a part of a troubling trend in South Carolina, where traffic fatalities have been on the rise in recent years. As of April 26, 2026, the state had recorded at least 249 fatalities on the roads, with a total of 914 people killed in 2025. In Berkeley County alone, there have been at least 12 deaths this year, following 34 fatalities in 2025.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers on South Carolina’s roads and the ongoing need for increased awareness and safety measures to prevent such accidents.
