A three-month-old infant, identified as Jakai Govan of Anderson, South Carolina, lost his life in a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision on Thursday afternoon, April 4, 2024.
The crash occurred on Highway 29 near Williamston, Anderson County, approximately 20 miles south of Greenville, South Carolina at around 1:45 p.m.
Reports from the Anderson County Coroner’s Office highlighted the severe impact of the incident, which involved a total of 10 vehicles, that was initiated by a cement truck colliding into the rear of a 2013 Chevy Impala.
The Chevy Impala, carrying Jakai in a baby seat, was stationary due to roadwork when it was struck from behind by the cement truck. The force of the collision caused the truck to overturn down an embankment, propelling the Impala into a Dodge pickup truck. This initiated a chain-reaction pile-up involving several other vehicles.
Jakai was urgently airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital but succumbed to his injuries, with the cause of death identified as a subdural hemorrhage from a skull fracture, shortly after midnight on Friday. The incident has been declared accidental by authorities.
The Anderson County Coroner’s Office, alongside the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) and its Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team, is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading up to the tragic event. Preliminary findings from the SCHP suggest that charges are expected to be brought forward in relation to the accident, though specifics are still under review.
In addition to the devastating loss of Govan, the collision resulted in critical injuries to several others involved. The driver of the Chevy Impala was also airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The driver of the Dodge pickup required extraction from the wreckage and hospitalization due to significant back and neck injuries. Remarkably, the driver of the cement truck involved in initiating the collision emerged unharmed from the incident.
This tragic event highlights the dangers posed by high-speed collisions and the potential for severe outcomes, particularly for the most vulnerable passengers. The Anderson County community and local authorities are now faced with the aftermath of this devastating collision as they seek to understand the sequence of events that led to such a tragic outcome and to implement measures that might prevent similar incidents in the future.
The community of Anderson County is known for its vibrant life and as a hub between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia. The tragedy has cast a shadow over the community.
