Caiden Miles McGuff, a 16-year-old baseball player at Camden High School in South Carolina, died July 29, 2025, after his pickup truck crashed on Ridgeway Road in Kershaw County.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the single-vehicle crash happened around 5 p.m. on Ridgeway Road near Richardson Boulevard, about four miles east of Elgin, South Carolina. McGuff was driving a 2004 Ford pickup truck westbound when it ran off the left side of the road, hit a phone box, flipped over, and crashed into a tree in the woods.
McGuff and a female passenger were both taken by emergency medical services to Kershaw Medical Center Emergency Room. McGuff later died at the hospital from his injuries. The condition of the female passenger remains unknown, according to Kershaw County Coroner David West.
The rising junior had become a standout pitcher for the Camden High School Bulldogs varsity baseball team. During his sophomore season in 2025, McGuff compiled a 7-3 record while appearing in 13 games, striking out 28 batters throughout the season. He had moved up from making the junior varsity squad as a freshman to earning a varsity spot his sophomore year.
McGuff earned Boys Spring Sports Athlete of the Week honors from The State newspaper in April 2025 after throwing a complete game for the Bulldogs.
Camden High School Principal Rose Montgomery paid tribute to McGuff in a statement released after his death. “Caiden was an outstanding student and remarkable athlete who gave his all on the field, and a wonderful friend to so many in our Bulldog family,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery also emphasized the close-knit nature of the school community in addressing the loss. The principal said the school community was working to support students and staff. Montgomery noted that Camden High plans to have counselors and social workers available to help the community process the loss for as long as needed.
The Camden High School baseball team issued a statement on social media expressing their grief over McGuff’s death. The team announced McGuff’s passing with a broken heart, noting that he was a rising junior. They expressed deep sadness but said they were forever thankful for the time spent with him. The team extended thoughts and prayers to McGuff’s family and their baseball family.
McGuff is survived by his parents, Amanda Lynn Mossor McGuff and Matthew Ralph McGuff, along with one sister and three brothers. The family received an outpouring of support from the Camden community and the broader South Carolina high school baseball network following news of his death.
A Celebration of Life service for McGuff was held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Malvern Hill Baptist Church, located at 1514 Malvern Hill Drive in Camden, South Carolina. Reverend Dr. Craig Thompson officiated the service. The family requested that memorial donations be made to the Camden High School Baseball Team at 1022 Ehrenclou Drive, Camden, South Carolina, 29020.
The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the vehicle leaving the roadway. No preliminary findings have been released regarding potential contributing factors to the accident.
McGuff’s death represents one of multiple fatal crashes in Kershaw County during 2025. South Carolina recorded at least 484 traffic fatalities by mid-July 2025, according to traffic safety data. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues to identify traffic crashes as a primary public safety concern in South Carolina, despite improvements in vehicle safety features and road design.
Camden High School concluded its 2025 baseball season with playoff appearances, including games against teams such as Seneca High School and A.C. Flora High School. The Bulldogs baseball program has been a source of community pride, with multiple seniors receiving scholarship recognition at the annual Camden Athletics Banquet held in May 2025.
The school’s athletic department recognized several standout performers during the 2025 season. Sullivan McKoy and JoJo Crim received Female and Male Athlete of the Year awards, respectively.
McGuff had been expected to continue his development as a key contributor to the Camden baseball program during his junior and senior seasons. His combination of academic achievement and athletic performance had positioned him as a leader within the team and the broader student body at Camden High School. Kornegay Funeral Home Camden Chapel handled arrangements for McGuff’s services.
