2 die in crashes within hours at this I-20 exit in Aiken County

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A pedestrian died in a hit-and-run crash that was the second fatal accident within hours near Exit 11 of eastbound Interstate 20 and the third major wreck there in two days.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the hit-and-run happened just after 8 p.m. on Bettis Academy Road. According to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, it happened near the on-ramp of Interstate 20.

An unknown vehicle struck a pedestrian, then left the scene of the crash, according to troopers.

There’s currently no description of the vehicle.

SCHP is investigating and working to reconstruct the scene of the accident.

Earlier Tuesday, a crash in the area claimed the life of a truck driver.

Authorities said a 2020 International tractor-trailer was traveling east on I-20 when the truck ran off the right side of the interstate and hit the Bettis Academy Road over near Exit 11.

The driver, Ronald Brand, 60, of Timmonsville, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body will be autopsied Wednesday in Newberry.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate that accident, as well.

On Monday night, the location was the site of a multiple-vehicle accident that led to a traffic backup on both sides of I-20.

According to dispatchers, the accident happened on the westbound side. A bus, an 18-wheeler and seven other vehicles were involved.

Traffic was detoured on both I-20 eastbound and westbound after the accident that happened before 10:30 p.m.

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