Barnwell County, South Carolina – In a tragic accident early Saturday morning, Larry L. Priester, a 38-year-old resident of Barnwell County, lost his life in a semi-truck crash on Edgefield Highway. The accident occurred near Old Friar Road at approximately 7:24 a.m. while Priester was driving a 2015 Freightliner semi tractor-trailer. He was declared dead at the scene at 8:30 a.m. by the Aiken County Coroner’s Office, leaving his family and community in mourning.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation, with the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Aiken County Coroner’s Office working together to determine whether weather conditions, vehicle malfunction, or human error contributed to this tragic event. An autopsy is scheduled in Newberry, South Carolina, to further investigate the circumstances that led to Priester’s untimely death.
Larry L. Priester was known in his community, and his sudden death has left many in shock. His passing serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by truck drivers daily. The incident also raises concerns about road safety on Edgefield Highway, a route heavily used by both commercial and residential traffic.
As authorities continue to investigate, the community is left to grieve the loss of a man taken too soon. Further updates are expected as officials work to bring closure to this devastating event and to prevent similar tragedies on South Carolina’s roads in the future.