FLORENCE, S.C. — A Florence, S.C., man died after investigators say he was racing another vehicle at high speed on East Palmetto Street and slammed into traffic Sunday, Oct. 4.
The Florence County Coroner’s Office identified him as Romell Lyndon Thomas, 41, of Florence. The crash happened around 5:10 p.m. in the 1800 block of East Palmetto Street, also U.S. 76, near Marigold Street.
Three cars were heading east when the Mercedes sedan Thomas was driving rear-ended a Toyota sedan, pushing the Toyota into a Hyundai sedan, according to investigators. The Mercedes then went out of control and overturned.
Investigators determined Thomas and the driver of another vehicle had been racing before the wreck. The Toyota’s driver was hurt and taken to a hospital; that person’s condition was not released. The Hyundai’s driver was not injured. The crash was first reported with two people hospitalized before Thomas died.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the coroner’s office are investigating. Officials have not said whether the other driver involved in the alleged race will face charges.