Multiple Fatalities and Injuries in Recent Spartanburg County Crashes

News Summary

A series of tragic car accidents in Spartanburg County this week resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries. Notable incidents include a four-car crash claiming the life of Robert Snite, a 74-year-old, and a single-vehicle accident that killed siblings Jesus and Emory Gaspar. Authorities highlight the importance of road safety and advise caution at intersections with non-operational traffic signals, which have contributed to a significant number of fatalities in the area.

Multiple Fatalities and Injuries in Recent Spartanburg County Crashes

Spartanburg County has been rocked by a series of tragic car accidents this past week, leading to multiple fatalities and serious injuries. The esteemed Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office has identified Robert Snite, a 74-year-old from Inman, as a victim of a devastating four-car crash that occurred near I-26. This heartbreaking incident unfolded on Highway 176 at approximately 1:46 p.m. on the day of the accident. Sadly, Robert was pronounced dead right at the scene, and an autopsy is set to take place this Thursday. As of now, the authorities have yet to provide any details on what might have caused the crash.

In a separate and equally terrible incident, tragedy struck early Sunday morning around 3 a.m. when a 2022 Jeep Wrangler lost control while driving north on Spring Street. The unfortunate vehicle veered off the right side near the intersection with Lee Court before crashing into a tree and flipping over. Two siblings, 19-year-old Jesus Guadalupe Gaspar Sandoval and his 18-year-old sister Emory Desiree Gaspar, lost their lives in this catastrophic incident, with both being pronounced dead at the scene. It remains unclear who was behind the wheel during the accident, and according to the coroner’s office, neither of them was wearing a seat belt. The third passenger involved in the crash survived and was rushed to a local hospital with injuries that thankfully were not life-threatening. However, details regarding their condition and seat belt usage are currently unavailable.

The Spartanburg Highway Patrol is actively investigating what led to the Jeep veering off the road. A string of unfortunate events seemingly paved the way for yet another incident on Tuesday afternoon at the bustling intersection of Boiling Springs Road (Highway 9) and California Avenue. Around 2 p.m., a collision occurred between a Cadillac SUV and a Toyota sedan at a time when the traffic lights were apparently non-operational due to a power failure caused by a storm. In the wake of this collision, two passengers in the Toyota suffered fatal consequences; one succumbed at the scene while the other followed shortly after being rushed to the hospital. The deceased have been identified as Sarah Ann Farr, aged 77, and Faye Farr Webber, aged 86. Meanwhile, the three occupants of the Cadillac, along with the driver of the Toyota, were hospitalized for treatment.

In light of these alarming accidents, officials are advising drivers to exercise particular caution when encountering traffic signals that are out of order. They recommend treating such intersections as four-way stops to help prevent further mishaps. These recent accidents highlight the vital importance of road safety, and with the year nearing its halfway point, the statistics speak volumes. As of July 21, Spartanburg County has experienced a total of 34 traffic fatalities, part of a troubling larger statistic wherein at least 502 traffic fatalities have occurred on South Carolina roads in 2024 alone.

As tragic as these events are, they serve as a sobering reminder. Please buckle up, remain attentive on the roads, and look out for those around you. Every life lost is a grim reminder of the importance of road safety and community vigilance.