Mother & infant son dead following wreck on I-26 West Thursday

CHAPIN, S.C. —  A mother and her infant son are dead and two others were sent to a hospital following an early morning wreck on I-26 westbound near Chapin, say authorities.

The Lexington County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as LaRhonda Gibson, 47, and her 23-month-old son Ketron Gibson Jr.

The multi-vehicle crash happened around 2:40 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, near mile marker 90, close to the county lines of Newberry and Lexington.

The incident involved a tractor trailer, a Nissan sedan, and a Dodge Ram pickup truck with an attached trailer.

According to Highway Patrol, all three vehicles were traveling west along I-26 when the tractor trailer and Gibson, who was driving the Nissan slowed for traffic ahead.

The Dodge Ram hit the Nissan from behind, pushing it into the rear of the tractor trailer.

The wreck caused all westbound lanes to be closed and traffic to be re-routed in the area for hours.

The interstate did not reopen to traffic until around 10:10 a.m.

The driver of the tractor trailer was the only person in the vehicle and was not injured.

Gibson and her son were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver and passenger of the Dodge Ram was taken to Prisma Health Richland to be treated for injuries.

South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the wreck.