Deadly Crashes Soar First Weekend of May

LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO) — Staggering numbers announced by the South Carolina Highway Patrol show the first weekend in May was a deadly one on the highways, and those impacted try to cope with the sudden loss of loved ones. As of May 6, 2012, 271 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 273 highway deaths in this same time period in 2011. Of the 188 motor vehicle occupants, with access to safety belts, who have died in 2012, 121 were not wearing seat belts. Through midnight May 6, 34 pedestrians, 32 motorcyclists and 7 bicyclists have died on state roads and highways. The State Highway Patrol says 42-year-old Tanya Dash and her son, 25-year-old Tony Lamar Hill, were killed Sunday morning when the SUV they were riding in skidded off Interstate 20 west near US Highway One and hit the median cable. Authorities say neither wore seat belts. Both were ejected from the vehicle. Dash’s body was then struck by another vehicle heading eastbound. Friends of the mother and son say they are devastated at their sudden deaths and vow to continue working with the children’s choir at the Bible Way Church of Atlas Rd. that Tanya Dash directed.