Ford Transit van traveled against traffic and struck Kenworth tractor-trailer near mile marker 9
April 24, 2026 | Inman, SC
A tragic wrong-way crash on Interstate 26 claimed the life of one driver and injured another in Spartanburg County.
Stacy Lee Abernathy, 52, died after a wrong-way head-on crash on Interstate 26 near mile marker 9 in Inman, Spartanburg County.
What Happened in the Crash?
A 2013 Ford Transit van driven by 52-year-old Stacy Lee Abernathy was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-26 when it collided head-on with a Kenworth tractor-trailer near mile marker 9 in Inman. The incident occurred around 3:24 a.m.
Key details include:
- Location: Interstate 26 near mile marker 9, Inman, Spartanburg County, South Carolina
- Vehicles Involved: 2013 Ford Transit van and Kenworth tractor-trailer
- Time: Approximately 3:24 a.m.
- Agency: South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP)
- Outcome: Abernathy pronounced dead at the scene, tractor-trailer driver hospitalized with injuries
- Status: Investigation ongoing
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding this fatal collision.
Why Do Wrong-Way Accidents Happen?
Wrong-way driving poses a severe risk on highways like I-26, often stemming from driver impairment, confusion at exits, or signage issues. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), up to 75% of wrong-way crashes involve drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Other contributing factors may include:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigue or medical emergencies
- Poor visibility or road design flaws
Factor |
Percentage of Wrong-Way Crashes (NTSB Data) |
Source |
|---|
Driver Impairment (DUI) |
75% |
NTSB |
Signage/Exit Confusion |
15-20% |
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) |
Distracted Driving |
10% |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
Other (Fatigue, Medical) |
5-10% |
FHWA |
Road conditions, lighting, and visibility play critical roles and require thorough analysis in such incidents, as noted by safety professionals.
Legal Insights
National legal analysts emphasize the importance of detailed investigations in motor vehicle crashes to support affected parties.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. “An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision.”
Key takeaways from cases such as this:
- Comprehensive crash reconstruction can uncover hidden causes like impairment or infrastructure issues.
- Victims of serious injuries often face overwhelming disruptions to family, work, and finances.
- Hiring experienced legal representation is essential to negotiate effectively with insurance providers.
“Pending the results of the investigation, the victim may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “The stress and worry following a serious injury could be overwhelming. It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client. Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue.”
Analysts stress that in motor vehicle crashes, insurance firms may undervalue claims, making professional advocacy crucial for fair compensation.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).