A devastating single-vehicle accident claimed the life of a 63-year-old Salley man, Robert Stempel, on Thursday evening, according to a statement released by the Aiken County Coroner’s Office.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 4:16 p.m. on South Dixie Road, near Jordan Creek Road in Aiken County, South Carolina. Authorities say that Stempel was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche traveling north when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle veered off the left side of the roadway. The truck then crashed through a fence and overturned, coming to rest with significant damage.
Emergency responders were dispatched swiftly to the scene. Due to the severity of his injuries, Stempel was airlifted to Prisma Health in Columbia for advanced trauma care. Despite the efforts of medical teams, he later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office launched an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the crash and is working alongside other agencies to determine what led to the tragic accident. As part of standard protocol in fatal crashes, toxicology testing is underway, and the results are expected to shed more light on whether any contributing factors such as impairment, speed, mechanical failure, or road conditions played a role.
At this time, no other vehicles were reported to be involved, and no additional injuries have been reported. The South Carolina Highway Patrol has joined the investigation and is currently reconstructing the incident to establish a clearer understanding of how the crash occurred.
Robert Stempel was a longtime resident of Salley, well known in the local area. News of his sudden death has deeply impacted those who knew him, and his loss has been met with grief and disbelief across the community.
As of now, no public announcements have been made regarding funeral arrangements or surviving family members. Officials have indicated that further information will be released as it becomes available.
This fatal crash is the latest in what has been a concerning week for road safety in Aiken County, following another deadly incident earlier in the week. The back-to-back tragedies have reignited conversations among residents and officials about the condition of rural roadways, driver safety, and the potential need for increased law enforcement visibility and infrastructure improvements in the area.
Authorities continue to urge the public to practice safe driving habits—wear seatbelts, avoid distractions, obey speed limits, and stay alert behind the wheel—especially on rural or less-traveled roads.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information that could aid the ongoing investigation is encouraged to contact the South Carolina Highway Patrol as efforts continue to piece together the events that led to the loss of Robert Stempel’s life.