Samuel Andre Butler dies in fatal Lexington County car crash
Fatal Lexington County car crash death of Samuel Andre Butler
Authorities have confirmed the identity of the individual who passed away in a multi-vehicle incident occurring Wednesday evening within Lexington County. The collision involved three separate automobiles and took place on Fish Hatchery Road.
According to information provided by Master Trooper Brittany Glover from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the accident unfolded around 11:20 p.m. A 2003 GMC Yukon, driven by an occupant in Gaston, was moving southbound on Fish Hatchery Road. At that moment, a 2013 Hyundai Elantra was stopped at an intersection with East Pine Arbor Court. The Hyundai driver proceeded to pull out from the stop sign and subsequently collided with the Yukon. Following this impact, the Yukon then struck a 2011 Chrysler 300 that was stationary in a nearby parking area.
Emergency services transported the Hyundai driver to a regional medical facility, but the individual ultimately succumbed to their injuries. Coroner Margaret Fisher identified the deceased as Samuel Andre Butler, a 40-year-old resident of Ludowici, Georgia. The preliminary investigation revealed the Hyundai driver was not secured by a seatbelt at the time of the collision.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol has initiated a formal probe into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
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Lexington County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Samuel succumbs to heat-related illness after training session
A canine officer for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, named Samuel, has passed away following a veterinary emergency during a recent training exercise. This Belgian Malinois joined the law enforcement team only in the current year and was undergoing standard operational preparation.
Sheriff Jay Koon indicated that Samuel’s death was attributed to an apparent heat-related medical condition. His handler, Deputy Saunders, observed indications of distress in the young dog after a scheduled training exercise and immediately sought professional veterinary intervention for the animal.
Regional weather records indicate temperatures within the Midlands community had consistently remained in the vicinity of 100 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the period leading up to the incident, contributing likely factors to the dog’s condition. Consequently, the sheriff’s office is currently reviewing its procedures and environmental controls for K-9 unit training programs to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
