Late Saturday night in Dorchester County, tragedy struck the small community of Walterboro when 41‑year‑old Ryan M. Koontz of Walterboro lost his life in a violent two‑vehicle crash. The incident occurred on the rural stretch of US‑17 Alternate near Clubhouse Road around 10:40 p.m., when an oncoming pickup truck crossed the center line and collided head‑on with Koontz’s SUV, according to officials with the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) and the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office.
By approximately 11:50 p.m., first responders had the grim confirmation: Koontz was pronounced dead at the scene from fatal injuries sustained in the crash. Authorities reported the pickup truck had veered into his lane, triggering the fatal impact and leaving both vehicles heavily damaged.
In the aftermath of the collision, a joint investigation between SCHP and the coroner’s office is underway. Investigators are closely examining the moments leading up to the crash — noting the pickup truck’s apparent left‑of‑center movement, and whether contributing factors such as driver distraction, impairment, mechanical failure or roadway conditions played a role. Eyewitness statements, skid‑mark analysis, debris patterns and possible nearby camera footage are all being evaluated to piece together exactly how this tragedy unfolded.
So far, officials have not released details about the driver of the pickup truck — including their identity or condition — nor revealed what may have caused the vehicle to cross into the opposite lane. Authorities say they are also checking for any surveillance video or vehicle dash‑cam recordings that could shed light on whether the driver was distracted or impaired.
The news has hit the Walterboro community hard. Friends, neighbors and local acquaintances of Koontz have expressed shock and grief at his sudden, unexpected passing. In smaller towns such as this, a fatal crash doesn’t just affect the family — it ripples across the community, bringing into focus the fragility of life on rural highways. Officials likewise took the moment to remind drivers to stay vigilant, avoid distractions and watch for hazards — especially at night on roads like US‑17 Alternate, where visibility can quickly become compromised.
As the investigation progresses, SCHP is asking anyone who might have been in the area, witnessed the crash or observed any unusual driving behavior on that stretch of US‑17 Alternate late Saturday night to come forward. Even small details — a vehicle seen weaving, headlights on and off, or a dash‑cam clip — could help fill in the timeline of events. Authorities committed to providing updates as verified information becomes available.
For now, Koontz’s family and the broader Dorchester County community are left grappling with the sudden loss of a man whose life ended too soon. When a person travelling home or going about their routine can never make it through the night, it serves as a sober reminder of the risks we face on the roads — and the importance of staying alert, sober, and respectful of others behind the wheel.
