1 dead in Chester Co. fiery crash on I-77 involving tractor-trailer

One person was killed after a tractor-trailer contracted with the U.S. Postal Service crashed head-on into a pickup on Interstate 77 Thursday, officials said.

The crash was reported about 10:10 a.m. on I-77 at Exit 55 northbound, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol. A 55-foot “box truck” traveling south on I-77 went off the left side of the roadway, crossed the median and crashed head-on into a 2012 Dodge Ram pickup.

The driver of the pickup was pronounced dead at the scene, Lance Cpl. Gary Miller said. Additional details were limited. The crash remains under investigation.

Freda Sauter, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service, confirmed that the tractor-trailer was contracted with the service.

“The Postal Service is deeply saddened with this news and send our thoughts and prayers to the families impacted by this tragic accident,” she said.

Thursday morning, responders could be heard over a scanner saying the fire was visible from mile marker 60. The interstate reopened about 4 p.m. Thursday.

Chester County Coroner Terry Tinker said late Thursday afternoon that crews had just removed the driver from the pickup. The driver was later identified as Brian Brown of Lexington County.

This story was originally published September 24, 2015 at 10:37 AM with the headline "1 dead in Chester Co. fiery crash on I-77 involving tractor-trailer."