1 dead, 2 injured after fiery collision

COTTAGEVILLE — A Summerville man died and two others were injured during a fiery head-on collision Sunday in rural Colleton County.

Larry Belson, 70, was pronounced dead at 5:22 p.m. at Medical University Hospital, Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey said.

Belson's 65-year-old wife and the driver of the second vehicle also were flown to Medical University Hospital. Both were listed in good condition Sunday night.

Authorities said the collision occurred at 4 p.m. on U.S. Highway 17A, about two miles north of Cottageville.

Katherine Belson was driving a 2005 Ford Taurus southbound on U.S. 17A when it struck a 1995 Ford driven by 70-year-old Mary Beck-Ackerman, according to S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins.

Barry McRoy, director of Colleton County Fire and Rescue, said bystanders pulled Larry and Katherine Belson to safety as their Taurus caught fire after the impact.

Beck-Ackerman was trapped in her overturned vehicle. McRoy said firefighters used hydraulic tools to cut the roof off the vehicle and free her.

Firefighters established a landing zone at Cottageville Elementary School on Pierce Road to accommodate the three helicopters used to take all three to Charleston.

McRoy said the road was blocked for about an hour and a half.

Collins said the Highway Patrol's Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team is looking into the crash.

Harvey said this was Colleton's sixth traffic fatality of the year.