Created: 7/7/2009 10:45:20 AM 
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- The South Carolina Highway Patrol says 42 vehicles crashed in a chain-reaction accident on Interstate 26, sending 16 people to the hospital. The Post and Courier of Charleston reported that the accident near Summerville involved 11 separate collisions during Monday's afternoon rush hour during a thunderstorm. Berkeley County EMS director Bob Mixter says there were neck and back injuries but none was life threatening. The accident happened about 5:20 p.m. about 20 miles northwest of Charleston. Highway Patrol Cpl. Paul Brouthers says some vehicles in the westbound lane slowed because of the weather, but some behind didn't. Brouthers says it's the most vehicles he has ever seen wreck at one time in 27 years with the Highway Patrol.
