Lawmaker involved in car crash

MONCKS CORNER — A car driven by state Rep. Joseph Jefferson plowed into the back of a disabled oil tanker Monday morning, injuring the truck driver and stopping northbound traffic on U.S. Highway 52 for four hours.

Jefferson, D-Pineville, was taken to a hospital for observation with minor injuries, according to Moncks Corner police Lt. C. Wendell Bowen.

The truck driver, Eugene Driggers of Moncks Corner, 66, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

The Thornley Oil Co. tanker was pulling onto the highway near Oakley Road about 10:45 a.m. when it blew a tire, according to witnesses. Driggers pulled the truck most of the way off the right side of the road and got out to put down orange safety cones.

Jefferson was driving a 2001 Chrysler Concorde toward Moncks Corner. He hit the rear of the truck and then hit Driggers, according to witnesses and the police report.

The Chrysler's top and right side were smashed where the car went under the rear of the truck.

Rescue workers found Driggers lying in the road when they arrived, although he was responsive and talking, Bowen said.

Another tanker was brought to the scene to drain the oil before the damaged truck was moved. No oil spilled at the scene.

Northbound traffic was rerouted onto Oakley Road until the lane reopened at 2:50 p.m.

Moncks Corner Police Chief Chad Caldwell asked the S.C. Highway Patrol to help with the investigation. Charges won't be determined until the investigation is complete, Bowen said.