Late Saturday night, a tragic late-night wrong-way crash occurred on Interstate 20, near mile marker 86 in Kershaw County, South Carolina. A 2022 Kia K5 was traveling the wrong way in the eastbound lane, colliding head-on with a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The crash, likely caused by reckless driving for unknown reasons, resulted in a deadly two‑vehicle crash, killing both drivers and injuring a passenger.
Details of the Incident
- Time & Location: Sat night around 9:25 p.m. on I‑20 in Kershaw County.
- Wrong-way driver: Kenneth Anthony Bradshaw, 25, from Georgia, died at the scene.
- Toyota driver: Jaquitta Henry, 34, from Columbia (Richland County), died at the hospital.
- Passenger: Treated at a local hospital; no further info available.
- Road closure: Eastbound lanes shut for hours; roadway reopened after 1 a.m.
Wrong‑Way Crashes, Public Trust & Safety Services
- Though rare, wrong‑way crashes are disproportionately lethal.
- The South Carolina Highway Patrol, supported by technical collision investigators and sometimes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionist ,leads scene investigation during the preliminary investigation phase .
- Such incidents shake public trust. They underscore the need for strong public safety services, improved highway infrastructure, and coordinated efforts by law enforcement agencies, Volunteer Fire Departments, and policy-setting political subdivisions like the Kershaw County Council.
Role of Corrective Entities & Crime Scene Procedures
- SCHP works closely with police officers, local Police Departments (e.g., Columbia Police Department, Greenville Police Department), and correctional personnel for traffic violations.
- In rural areas, Fire Departments (e.g., Bedford, Coos, Volunteer Fire Departments) provide rapid response, manage department equipment, and assist with rescue and crowd control.
- The crash scene followed formal crime scene protocols: evidence collection, reconstruction, and documentation to support both criminal justice practitioners and future civil cases.
Broader Safety Patterns Across Counties
Wrong-way and complex motor vehicle crashes aren’t unique to Kershaw County ,similar incidents have occurred in:
- Orangeburg County, Beaufort County, Jefferson County, Amherst County, Augusta County, Nelson County, Coos County, Josephine County, Tillamook County, Wythe County, Botetourt County, Gilliam County, Klamath County, Lane County, Columbia County…
- Even in Oregon (Lincoln, Clackamas, Deschutes Counties) and Virginia (Bedford, Botetourt, Roanoke), multiple-lane highways like I‑20, I‑81, or I‑5 have seen similar head-on, hit‑and‑run collisions or multi-vehicle chain reactions.
These events raise the question of road safety across political subdivisions, infrastructure design, signage, and law-tracking.
Importance of Background Checks & Law Enforcement Training
Maintaining accurate background checks is essential for hiring police, highway patrol, and correctional personnel ,all of whom shape public safety. Rigorous vetting ensures that these criminal justice practitioners are qualified to enforce road laws, conduct investigations, and communicate results to families and the public.
Multi-Disciplinary Organizations & Non‑Profits in Crash Response
- Multi-disciplined organizations ,including local EMS, fire services, police, and SCHP ,coordinate rescue, evidence collection, and closure of roadways.
- Post-crash, non‑profit organizations provide mental health support and liaise between victims and official services to restore public trust.
- Entities like Safety Councils or highway-safety non-profits may advocate for stricter signage near interstate ramps to prevent future wrong-way entries.
Rights & Remedies for Victims and Families
Though the wrong-way driver passed away, victims and families still have legal recourse:
- Wrongful death claims on behalf of the decedent’s estate.
- Personal injury lawsuits for the injured passenger.
- Claims against the driver’s insurer, vehicle manufacturer, or even the political subdivisions if poor road design contributed.
- Recovery could include medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and counseling.
Why Timing and Technical Investigation Matter
Acting early is critical:
- The SCHP preliminary investigation gathers:
- Tire marks, vehicle damage
- Toxicology reports
- Witness statements
- Photographic and video documentation
- Tire marks, vehicle damage
- Early hiring of technical collision investigators and reconstructionists helps preserve evidence before clean-up.
- South Carolina statutes require wrongful-death suits to be filed within three years; injury cases often have even shorter deadlines.
How Ted Law Firm Supports Families Through Tragedy
At Ted Law Firm, our attorneys partner with criminal justice practitioners, SCHP units, certified reconstruction teams, and forensic specialists to build strong legal cases.
We take a step-by-step approach:
- Extract full police reports, coroner records, and reconstruction analysis.
- Interview experts and request evidence from Fire Departments and municipal responders.
- Determine liability: reckless driver, insurer, manufacturer, or government entities.
- File civil litigation: wrongful death, personal injury, insurance bad faith.
- Ensure full collection of compensation for all economic and non-economic losses.
Context: I‑20 Crash Statistics in South Carolina
- As of June 8, 2025,331 fatalities on SC roads (compared to 948 in 2024).
- Kershaw County alone accounts for seven fatalities, up from ten in 2024.
- This incident adds to local crash data along I‑20, including a chain-reaction crash involving tractor-trailers in mid-2024 .
- Wrong-way crashes, though less common, carry a high fatality burden, making them a top public safety priority.
5‑Line Call to Action (CTA)
If your life has been affected by this deadly crash or you’ve been involved in a wrong-way crash or collision on I‑20 or nearby highways:
- Contact Ted Law Firm today for a no-cost consultation with attorneys experienced in fatal and injury collisions.
- We work directly with criminal justice practitioners, reconstruction experts, and technical investigators.
- We pursue full compensation,not only for medical and funeral costs but also for emotional trauma, pain, and lost future income.
- We hold negligent drivers, insurers, governmental bodies, and manufacturers accountable under South Carolina law.
- You pay nothing upfront,our firm operates on contingency because your recovery is our mission.
About Ted Law Firm
At Ted Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys help accident victims navigate accident lawsuits effectively. We protect your rights against insurance companies and ensure compliance with South Carolina’s legal time frame for filing deadlines.
Ted Law Firm proudly stands with injured pedestrians and their families throughout Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Aiken, and Myrtle Beach ,fighting for justice across South Carolina and Georgia. If a serious pedestrian accident has disrupted your life, you can count on Ted Law Firm for compassionate guidance and strong legal support every step of the way.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
