Two people killed and two more hospitalized after vehicles crash on SC road, cops say
Two people were killed and two others were injured late Sunday night when two SUVs crashed, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Two 22-year-old drivers — Vienna, Georgia resident Jashaun Jy Quez Howard and Johnston resident Agustin Ensaldo-Martinez — died at the scene, Saluda County Coroner Angie Rita said Monday.
The collision happened in Saluda County at about 10:20 p.m. Sunday, said Lance Cpl. Brittany Glover of the Highway Patrol.
A 2014 Dodge Journey was driving north on S.C. 121, while a 2001 GMC Yukon was heading south on the same Midlands road, according to Glover. Near the intersection with JDM Road the SUVs collided and both drivers died, Glover said.
Glover said the Dodge driver was the only person in that vehicle. There were two passengers in the GMC, and both were hurt and taken to an area hospital, according to Glover. Further information on the passengers’ conditions was not available.
No other injuries were reported.
There was no word if any of the people involved in the crash were wearing seat belts.
Information about what caused the SUVs to collide was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol and coroner’s office. Autopsies are scheduled for later this week, Rita said.
Through Jan. 19, at least 30 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2025, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, at least 948 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least two people have died in Saluda County crashes in 2025, according to DPS data. There were six deaths in the county in 2024, DPS reported.
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This story was originally published January 27, 2025 at 10:03 AM with the headline "Two people killed and two more hospitalized after vehicles crash on SC road, cops say."
