Three-car wreck on I-95 leaves three critical

ST. GEORGE — Three-car wreck on I-95 leaves three critical

At least three people were in critical condition Saturday night at the Medical University of South Carolina after a three-car wreck occurred about noon on Interstate 95, four miles north of St. George.

Those listed as critical were Lewis Tirabo, 44, of New Jersey; Jeff Gentile, 42, of New Jersey; and Albert Powers, 72, of South Carolina, the Highway Patrol reported.

Tirabo was driving a 2004 Ford pick-up truck followed by Gentile, who was driving a 1999 Plymouth mini-van. Tirabo and Gentile slowed for traffic, and Powers, who was driving a recreational vehicle, hit Gentile's vehicle, which in turn struck Tirabo's truck, according to the Highway Patrol. Powers was charged with driving too fast for conditions, the Patrol said.

Five people injured in the accident were flown by helicopter to MUSC. In all, nine people were taken to area hospitals. The names and conditions of the other victims were not immediately available. The accident happened in the southbound lane of I-95 near mile marker 81. Traffic was stopped for two hours on I-95 northbound and southbound while authorities responded to the accident.