SLED Agent Injured on I-26 Released from Hospital

Newberry County (WLTX) -- Authorities in Newberry County say a SLED agent was injured in an accident Thursday evening while trying to assist an existing accident.

Sgt. Kelley Hughes with the Highway Patrol says the SLED agent had stopped around the 86 mile markers on I-26 westbound to assist a vehicle that had already wrecked in the median. The agent was sitting inside his 2005 Ford Excursion, waiting for troopers to arrive at the accident.

Hughes says 49-year-old Jose Ortiz of Ladson was driving a 1999 Ford F150 truck westbound on the interstate when he lost control of his vehicle and struck the rear of the SLED agent's SUV.

The agent was transported to Palmetto Richland Hospital with minor injuries. Ortiz was wearing his seat belt and was not injured.

The agent has been released from the hospital and is resting comfortably at home.

Troopers say the interstate was shut down for about 45 minutes due to concerns of possible explosives inside the agent's vehicle. Newberry Sheriff Lee Foster says the agent in a bomb technican for the State Law Enforcement Division. Authorities had to wait for another bomb technican to arrive to clear the scene.

Hughes says a total of three accidents occured at the 85 mile marker around 7:00 p.m. Hughes did note it was raining at the times of these incidents.