Spartanburg County law enforcement is warning drivers about dangerous roads ahead of the summer travel season. Officials say unsafe driving has led to too many deaths, and they are launching a joint initiative to address the issue.
“100 Deadly Days of Summer” Initiative
On May 21, Spartanburg County Sheriff Bill Rhyne, Coroner Rusty Clevenger, S.C. Highway Patrol Captain J.E. Rogers, and 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette announced a joint effort to reduce traffic fatalities during the summer. This period, known as the “100 Deadly Days of Summer,” typically sees a spike in deadly accidents nationwide.
Traffic Deaths in Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County currently leads South Carolina in traffic fatalities. In 2025, the county recorded 75 deaths, and so far in 2026, there have been 33. Richland and Charleston counties follow with the next highest numbers.
Law Enforcement Strategy
The initiative includes the sheriff’s office, highway patrol, police departments from Woodruff, Wellford, Campobello, Landrum, Duncan, Greer, and Inman, as well as campus police from Spartanburg Community College and Spartanburg Methodist College.
Officers will focus on high-risk locations and monitor dangerous driving behaviors, including:
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
Captain Rogers emphasized overtime and flexible scheduling to ensure adequate coverage.
Recent Fatal Incidents
Several tragic accidents have occurred in Spartanburg County this year:
- May 15: A collision on Highway 101 killed five people, including Arturo and Maria Del Rosario Munoz. Sgt. Diana Munoz survived and is recovering.
- April 12: Two boys, ages 9 and 12, were killed on Asheville Highway when a driver under the influence struck them while they rode bicycles on the sidewalk.
Infrastructure Improvements
Sheriff Rhyne said the county is working with Roads and Bridges to improve highways, using funds from the one-cent sales tax approved in 2023. Planned improvements include resurfacing and other safety upgrades.
Targeted Traffic Safety
Using the county’s “Vision Zero” dashboard, officers will focus on high-accident roads such as S.C. Highways 101, 221, and 9. Rhyne stressed that most fatalities occur on highways, not interstates, due to closer traffic interactions and higher risk behaviors.
Call to Drivers
Sheriff Rhyne urged drivers to make safer choices:
“Every one of these collisions is preventable; these are not unavoidable accidents. They are the direct result of poor and selfish decisions behind the wheel.”
