Mo-ped driver dies from injuries in collision with truck at King and Line streets

Despite efforts of bystanders and passers-by who rushed to his aid, a 57-year-old West Ashley man died today after being knocked off his mo-ped and then run over by a truck.

A server at a nearby bar carried towels outside in efforts to stem the flow of blood. Charleston County EMS took the man to Medical University Hospital, where he later died.

Charleston County Deputy Coroner Scott Ramsey identified the victim as Gary Stephens, of West Ashley. Stephens died of blunt force trauma, Ramsey said.

The collision took place about 6:20 p.m. at King and Line streets, Charleston police spokesman Charles Francis said.

Police closed King and Line streets for about a block in all directions after the collision and later put up crime scene tape to keep vehicles and pedestrians away while they conducted their investigation.

Francis said a heavy work truck was traveling south on King Street and making a left turn onto Line Street, when it collided with the mo-ped.

The mo-ped was headed north on King Street, Francis said.

Witnesses told The Post and Courier that, after the collision, the truck sideswiped a stopped sport utility vehicle, which was facing west on Line Street, and came to rest against the SUV. The driver of the truck still was behind the wheel when police and EMS arrived and had not left the vehicle, witnesses said.

Reportedly more than one person with medical training was among those who tried to help the injured man.

A passenger in the SUV, who would not give his name, said the truck took a wide turn and that the man on the mo-ped did not see the truck coming.”

Gerrad Williams, 22, of Line Street said he witnessed the accident from the west side of the intersection.

“He hit the man on the mo-ped and ran over the bike and him,” Williams said. He said he was among many who rushed to the downed man. “I wished I could have helped him, but I tried not to touch him,” he said. “He was leaking blood and his leg was twisted. It was devastating, and it happened so fast.”

Paul Kaiser, a server at Barsa Lounge on the corner where the incident occurred, gathered towels and headed outside to see what he could do.

“Blood was pouring out,” he said.

A former Navy corpsman with some nursing training, Kaiser said there was little he could do and that he was glad EMS showed up quickly.