Julio Elias Ramirez Gomez, 32, of Saluda, was pronounced dead at the scene of a three unit collision that occurred around 6:00 in the morning on Hwy 121 one mile north of Trenton, Wednesday, Dec. 23. According to Lance Corporal Tony Keller of the SC Highway Patrol, Kevin Coleman, 45, of Saluda, was traveling south on Hwy 121 driving a 2008 GMC pickup truck when he attempted to pass a 2007 Volvo tractor trailer and struck Gomez who was driving a 2009 Ford north on Hwy 121. Gomez was wearing a seatbelt and was entrapped. Mechanical means had to be used to extract him from the vehicle.

The tractor trailer, which tried to avoid hitting Coleman’s vehicle, hit the back of Coleman’s truck, then hit an embankment, went off the right side of the roadway, and overturned. The driver of the tractor trailer was wearing a seat belt and was transported by ambulance to MCG for treatment of injuries. Coleman, who was not wearing a seat belt, was also transported by ambulance to MCG.

The Advertiser spoke with Lance Corporal Keller, Thursday, Dec. 24, regarding this accident. He said that no charges have yet been filed as a result of this incident. However, the SCHP is continuing to investigate this accident.