RCSD: SC Trooper airlifted to hospital after multi-vehicle morning collision

LEXINGTON CO., S.C. (WOLO) – The 2900 block of Augusta Highway was shut down due to a collision this morning, according to Lexington County deputies.

All lanes were shut down between Lost Branch Road and Calks Ferry Road due to the collision, and as deputies worked the area.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department says the collision was a multi-vehicle collision that happened around 7 a.m. on Tuesday (September 9).

According to preliminary reports, a South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper was at a traffic stop at the location when a Lexington County Sheriff’s Department deputy slowed down to check on the trooper during the traffic stop.

A vehicle traveling in the same lane as the deputy failed to stop in time.

The vehicle then collided with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department vehicle, the vehicle SCHP had detained during the traffic stop, another unrelated vehicle, and hit the trooper who was outside of his vehicle.

The SCHP trooper was injured and air lifted to a local hospital in serious condition.

The RCSD Traffic Safety Unit was requested to investigate the collision as SCHP and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department were involved.

Highway Patrol identified the injured trooper as Master Trooper Wayne H. LaBounty.

Officials say LaBounty is the third trooper to be injured or killed in the last month.

RCSD says the investigation is still ongoing.

Serve & Connect has set up a fundraiser for Master Trooper LaBounty.

To donate, click here.