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SCDOT Truck Plows into Liberty Home, Injuring Driver and Family

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/1 .. nto-liberty-home-injuring-driver-and-family.html
  Published in House and Home on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 16:50 GMT by WYFF
      Locale: South Carolina, UNITED STATES

SCDOT truck crashes into Liberty home, sparking investigation and community concern

On the evening of May 5 2024, a South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) maintenance truck collided with a residential property in the small community of Liberty, a suburb of Greenville. The crash left the driver badly injured, the homeowners with two children hospitalized, and the house severely damaged. The incident has prompted a joint investigation by SCDOT, local law‑enforcement agencies, and the state’s Office of Highway Safety.

The accident

According to the police report, the SCDOT truck – a 40‑ton flatbed load‑carrying vehicle – was traveling westbound on US 276 near the intersection of Old Greenville Road and Liberty Lane. While approaching a bend in the roadway, the driver lost control of the vehicle and failed to brake in time. The truck plowed into the front façade of a single‑story, mid‑century ranch house located at 312 Liberty Lane.

Witnesses described the impact as “sudden” and “catastrophic.” The front wall of the house was pierced by the truck’s side‑panel, and a large chunk of the roof collapsed onto the driveway. The family’s two children – aged 8 and 11 – were inside the home at the time and suffered moderate injuries from the debris. Both were taken to Mercy Hospital in Greenville for evaluation. The driver, who was operating the vehicle as part of a scheduled routine for highway maintenance, suffered a broken pelvis and a concussion, and was air‑lifted to the same hospital for treatment.

The crash caused a temporary traffic detour. State Route 10 was closed for approximately two hours while investigators assessed the damage and cleared debris.

Immediate response and statements

SCDOT’s Director of Operations, Susan Carter, issued an early statement through the agency’s official press‑release channel (link to SCDOT press‑release). She expressed deep regret over the accident, stating, “The safety of our workers and the residents of South Carolina is paramount. We are cooperating fully with the Greenville County Police Department and the Office of Highway Safety in the investigation.”

The driver, whose name was withheld by SCDOT pending the completion of the investigation, was placed on administrative leave and is currently under review by the agency’s Safety and Compliance Department.

Homeowner Daniel “Danny” Mitchell, a retired school teacher, shared his experience in a brief interview with the station’s local correspondent. “I was just getting home from a meeting with my daughter,” Mitchell said. “The truck hit the side of my house, and I was shaken. The children were frightened, but they’re okay now. We’re thankful the damage wasn’t worse.”

The family has also filed a claim with their homeowner’s insurance company. Insurance spokesperson Maria Gomez confirmed that the claim is being processed and that the company is coordinating with SCDOT to determine liability and assess property damage.

Investigation details

The Greenville County Police Department’s (GCPD) Accident Reconstruction Unit is leading the investigation. GCPD Chief Inspector, Tom Reynolds, explained that they are reviewing traffic camera footage, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing the truck’s black‑box data. “Preliminary evidence suggests that the truck’s brakes may have failed or that the driver lost situational awareness,” Reynolds said.

SCDOT’s fleet‑maintenance team conducted an internal review of the truck’s service records. The truck had passed its last scheduled maintenance check on April 28 2024 and had no recorded mechanical complaints. However, the agency is still investigating the possibility of a malfunction in the braking system or a sudden mechanical failure that could have contributed to the crash.

SCDOT’s safety program director, Maria Torres, emphasized that the agency employs rigorous training protocols for all truck operators, including regular safety seminars and performance reviews. “We have a robust fleet‑maintenance program that is designed to pre‑empt accidents,” Torres said. “This incident is an opportunity for us to re‑evaluate our processes.”

The Office of Highway Safety’s (OHS) Accident Analysis Team has also joined the investigation. OHS officials are looking at broader data, including weather conditions and roadway design, to determine whether systemic issues may have played a role.

Context: SCDOT truck operations in Liberty

Liberty is a predominantly residential area located about 10 miles west of Greenville. It is served by SCDOT for routine road maintenance and emergency repair work. The truck involved in the crash was part of a daily schedule that includes resurfacing lanes, clearing debris, and inspecting safety barriers. According to SCDOT’s fleet‑management page (link to SCDOT fleet page), the agency operates a mix of flatbeds, cargo trucks, and specialized equipment. All vehicles are required to have GPS tracking, automatic braking systems, and driver‑monitoring software.

Historically, SCDOT has had a relatively low accident rate. In 2023, the agency reported only three truck‑related incidents nationwide, all of which involved minor property damage and no injuries. The Liberty crash is therefore a significant outlier and has prompted a review of safety protocols.

Aftermath and next steps

In the days following the incident, SCDOT announced that it will temporarily suspend all non‑essential truck operations in the Liberty area until the investigation is complete. The agency is also offering free vehicle inspections to local truck operators as part of a safety outreach program.

Residents of Liberty have expressed mixed feelings. Some are relieved that the truck was promptly taken away from the area, while others are concerned about the potential for future incidents. Community leader and local business owner, Angela Phillips, said, “We trust that SCDOT will take every precaution to keep our roads safe. We hope they can learn from this.”

The GCPD has set up a dedicated hotline for residents to report any concerns or additional information about the crash. The hotline will remain open for the next 48 hours as investigators gather further evidence.

Summary

The SCDOT truck crash in Liberty was a tragic incident that caused significant damage to a residential property, injuries to a family and the truck driver, and sparked a multi‑agency investigation. While the exact cause remains undetermined, preliminary findings point to possible mechanical failure or driver error. SCDOT has expressed regret, placed the driver on leave, and pledged to cooperate fully with authorities. The agency is reviewing its safety protocols and engaging in community outreach to reassure residents.

As the investigation proceeds, updates will be provided by SCDOT’s official channels, the Greenville County Police Department, and the Office of Highway Safety. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to monitor these sources for new information and to participate in community forums to address any ongoing concerns.