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NewslettersBeaufort woman killed in three-car auto accident
pdonohue@beaufortgazette.o
843-986-5531
A Beaufort woman was killed in a three-car wreck Monday night on U.S. 17 in Colleton County.
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Claudia Lopez, 43, died of a head injury Monday night on the way to the hospital, said Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey.
Lopez was the passenger in a silver Oldsmobile driven by Fatima Grajeda-Lopez, 32, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.
Grajeda-Lopez was traveling south on U.S. 17 just north of the Ashepoo River when an unknown vehicle, believed to be a maroon or red minivan, attempted an illegal pass, said Lance Cpl. Bob Beres, Highway Patrol spokesman.
Beres said Grajeda-Lopez swerved to miss the minivan as it barreled toward her in the southbound lane.
According to Beres, investigators said Grajeda-Lopez overcorrected and slid sideways into the northbound lane, where she struck a 2005 Ford and was struck a second time by a 2002 Toyota Camry.
Claudia Lopez, who was seated behind the driver, died on the way to the hospital, Beres said.
A 6-month old child inside the Oldsmobile was taken to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston with non-life threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported.
The identity of the driver of the vehicle that attempted to make the illegal pass is still unknown, according to the Highway Patrol.
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