News Summary
Florence County is set to begin a significant road improvement project on Holly Circle, expected to last for several months. Drivers are warned of detours as local traffic rules will shift during construction. In a separate tragic event, the community is mourning the loss of Deputy Nate Ansay, who recently died in a collision while on duty. The community is coming together to support each other during these challenging times, emphasizing safety around the roadwork and remembering the fallen officer.
Florence, South Carolina – Residents are being alerted to upcoming road closings and detours in Florence County as a significant road improvement project gets underway. The projects specifically target Holly Circle, where traffic alterations are set to begin on May 29 and are expected to last until November. Motorists will find that while Holly Circle remains open for local traffic, a signed detour route will be established for other drivers affected by the closure.
Management of these improvements falls under the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), which is urging road users to slow down and remain vigilant around the work site. Safety measures are being emphasized as local traffic patterns shift during the construction period.
In an unrelated yet tragic turn of events, the Florence County community is grappling with the recent death of a deputy. Deputy Nate Ansay, aged 24, died following a serious crash on Olanta Highway that occurred on Tuesday afternoon at approximately 4:20 p.m. The accident took place near Blackwells Farm Road. Deputy Ansay was responding to a situation while driving north when his vehicle collided with a GMC SUV traveling south.
Both Deputy Ansay and the driver of the GMC SUV were immediately transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. Unfortunately, Sheriff TJ Joye later confirmed that Deputy Ansay succumbed to his injuries sustained in the crash. The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
The community has been shaken by this tragic news, and law enforcement agencies from across the Pee Dee and Grand Strand regions have publicly expressed their condolences. There is a collective call for support for Deputy Ansay’s family and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office as they navigate this painful time. The tragic loss of Deputy Ansay underscores the inherent dangers that law enforcement officers face daily in the line of duty.
Deputy Ansay had served with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office for just two years prior to his untimely death, and the sorrow within the law enforcement community is palpable. Local law enforcement and emergency service departments are all mourning the loss, further elevated by the fact that just one week prior, Deputy Robert Christopher Smith from Marion County also lost his life. This sequence of incidents within a short timeframe is reinforcing solidarity among law enforcement personnel in the area, with many offering words of condolences and prayers for the fallen officers.
As the road improvement project proceeds alongside the community’s grieving process, residents are encouraged to adhere to new traffic rules and remain respectful of the roadwork sites, which aim at enhancing the safety and efficiency of local roadways. The memory of Deputy Ansay will not be forgotten as the Florence County community comes together to support one another during this challenging period.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Tragic Collision Claims Life of Deputy Ansay in Effingham
Tragic Loss of Deputy in Florence County Traffic Accident
Tragic Death of Florence County Deputy in Accident
Tragic Loss: Florence County Deputy Dies in Vehicle Collision
Additional Resources
- WPDE: Florence County Road Project
- Google Search: Florence County Road Project
- WMBF: Florence County Deputy Injured
- Wikipedia: Florence County, South Carolina
- WBTW: Florence County Road Closures
- Google News: Florence County Road Closures
- WHNT: Road Closures Due to Flooding
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina Weather
- Rocket City Now: Huntsville Road Conditions
- Google Scholar: South Carolina Road Safety
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
