Emilio R. Hernandez Obituary, Death – A tragic single-vehicle accident on Saturday morning claimed the life of Emilio R. Hernandez, a 22-year-old resident of St. Stephen, South Carolina, according to the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office. Coroner Darnell Hartwell confirmed that Hernandez died from injuries sustained in the crash.
The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Cainhoy Road, in the Huger area near the Cooper River, approximately 27 miles from Charleston. According to Master Trooper Gary Miller of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Hernandez was driving a 2002 GMC Denali westbound on Cainhoy Road when his SUV veered off the right side of the road near the Cedar Hill Lane intersection. The vehicle overturned as it left the roadway, causing significant damage and serious injuries to Hernandez.
First responders transported Hernandez to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Coroner Hartwell reported that the coroner’s office responded to the scene by 8 a.m. Miller confirmed that Hernandez was the only person in the vehicle, and no other injuries were reported in connection with the accident. Authorities have not yet stated whether Hernandez was wearing a seat belt.
The exact cause of the crash remains unknown, and both the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
This incident contributes to the troubling number of fatalities on South Carolina roads. As of Sunday, a total of 817 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents in the state in 2024, according to data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS). Last year, the state saw 1,030 traffic-related deaths. In Berkeley County alone, at least 27 people have died in vehicle crashes so far this year.
The DPS continues to monitor and address roadway safety, urging drivers to practice caution and responsibility on the roads.