Carl Jay Benner dies in fatal Lake Hartwell, South Carolina drowning

Carl Jay Benner dies in fatal Lake Hartwell, South Carolina drowning
Fatal Lake Hartwell, South Carolina drowning death of Carl Jay Benner – Obituary

Carl Jay Benner, 55, of Greenville, South Carolina, was found dead in Lake Hartwell on January 1, days after being reported missing following a car accident on December 28. Benner’s vehicle had been involved in a crash on I-85 around 4 a.m., prompting a search by local authorities.

A paddleboarder discovered his body near the Anderson Northbound Rest Area in the afternoon, and officials later confirmed his identity. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office reported that Benner may have wandered into the lake while attempting to navigate through nearby woods, leading to a fatal freshwater drowning.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.