Deputies investigate fatal accident

Charleston County sheriff's deputies are trying to determine if a woman who was killed in wreck Tuesday morning in West Ashley was forced off the road.

Maria Johnson, 26, of North Charleston died at the scene of massive body trauma, Charleston County Deputy Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal said.

The sport-utility vehicle she was driving went off the two-lane highway and struck a tree about 6:30 a.m. on Ashley River Road near Magnolia Plantation, said sheriff's Maj. John Clark.

Johnson was attempting to pass slower-moving vehicles when her car veered off the highway, he said.

Witness statements suggested that another vehicle pulled into Johnson's path as she was passing, forcing her off the road, Clark said. The other vehicle kept going, he said.

Randy Jordan of Summerville was a witness to the accident and one of two people who stopped to render aid.

Jordan said he was on his way to work and was the last vehicle in a group of about five heading south on S.C. Highway 61. The car in front of the pack was traveling 50 to 55 mph, and two drivers moved into the oncoming lane to pass, he said.

"The third car, the lady in the Explorer, jumped out to pass also," Jordan said. Suddenly, another driver in the group also decided to try to pass, Jordan said. That vehicle made its move when Johnson's Explorer was alongside.

"She over-corrected to the left and went on to avoid hitting them, and skidded into a tree," Jordan said. "She hit the tree so hard that the Explorer bounced off the tree and landed in the center of the road," he said.

Jordan and another man stopped to help. There was a fire in the engine compartment.

"I had some bottles of water in my lunch box," he said. He poured water on the fire in the engine compartment, but the flames continued to grow. The victim was unresponsive inside the Explorer, he said.

The driver's side door was locked. He had to go in through a vent window but could not reach the door handle.

"I reached in and shook her and yelled at her," but she did not respond, Jordan said.

"At that point, the flames were starting to come into the cab," he said. He cut his hand while pounding on the center console trying to free her, but flames soon filled the cab and he had to step back and wait for fire and rescue personnel.

Jordan said he was amazed that more people did not stop to offer help.

One driver stopped, but instead of offering assistance, he asked if he could get his car through, Jordan said. "We told him we were kind of busy and he backed up and turned around."

The wreck blocked traffic in both directions. The highway was cleared about 11:30 a.m.

Catherine Garrett of North Charleston said she and her husband James met Johnson about three years ago.

"She was absolutely the most wonderful young lady you could meet," Garrett said. "She had beautiful sparkling eyes. She was a very caring person and she wanted everybody to be happy."