South Carolina Bureau
AIKEN --- In five days, five people have died in traffic-related accidents on Aiken County roads, prompting law enforcement officials to remind drivers that buckling up and slowing down could save lives.
Rainier Ehrhardt/Staff
A memorial cross stands on U.S. Highway 1 in Aiken County. In five days, the county has had five traffic deaths; four who weren't wearing seat belts.
"Speeding, no seat belt -- those are serious contributors to the most recent (fatalities)," said Lt. David Turno of Aiken Public Safety.
Four of the five victims in a string of highway deaths that began Saturday were not wearing seat belts.
The fifth victim, Noel Barrett, of Beech Island, was riding a bicycle at night when he was hit by a vehicle. Investigators are still looking for the car involved in that Tuesday morning hit and run.
"What's concerning is the fact that so many were unrestrained and that's what led to the deaths -- the fact that they are being ejected from the vehicles," Lt. Turno said. "The likelihood that they could have survived greatly increases had they been wearing their seat belt."
The most recent fatalities resulted from a single-car accident just before midnight Tuesday.
Angela Manley, 19, and Margaret Manley, 18, both of New Ellenton, were the unrestrained passengers in a car driven by David Cummings of Aiken that crashed into a tree at Southlawn Cemetery on Whiskey Road.
Angela Manley died at the scene, and Margaret Manley died at Medical College of Georgia Hospital on Wednesday.
Mr. Cummings also was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was treated at MCG for a back injury that was not life-threatening and released.
Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said speed and alcohol appeared to have been factors in the accident, but toxicology tests were pending and no charges had been filed Wednesday.
So far this year, there have been 19 traffic fatalities in Aiken County -- a 24 percent decrease from 2007 during the same time period.
Of the 15 victims who had access to a seat belt, 12 were not wearing one.
"Seat belt usage continues to be a factor in the cause of fatalities," said Lance Cpl. Trevor Clinton of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
"We really encourage everyone to buckle up."
Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.
2008 TRAFFIC FATALITIES
FATALITY.....SEAT BELT?
Judith Cox.....No
Larry Bowman.....Yes
Lamaas Barefield.....No
Michael Marcheant.....No
Brandy Cox.....Unknown
Gregorio Cruz.....No
Jerry Kemp.....n/a*
Robert Widener.....No
John Doolittle.....No
Linda Jones.....Yes
Susan Earley.....Yes
Dana Morris.....No
James Cohr.....n/a
Bridgett Carr.....No
Lillian Gilchrist.....No
Andre Garrett.....No
Noel Barrett.....n/a
Margaret Manley.....No
Angie Manley.....No
* N/a denotes that person who died was riding a motorcycle or bicycle.
