Robert Sherard was remembered Thursday as a young man whose life ended far too soon, after a single‑vehicle crash in the rural Meggett area of Charleston County early Wednesday morning. Sherard, 32, was the only person in the car when it left the road, slammed into a tree, and burst into flames near the quiet intersection of Toogoodoo Road and Swinton Creek Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Charleston County Emergency Medical Services.
Deputies from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office were called to the crash site at around 3:30 a.m. on January 7 following reports that a vehicle had exited the roadway at high speed and struck a large tree. Witnesses described seeing intense flames rising from the wreckage before first responders arrived.
When deputies and emergency crews reached the scene, they found Sherard’s vehicle off the shoulder, badly burned and charred from the fire. The force of the impact left the car nearly unrecognizable, and there was no sign of anyone else in or near the vehicle. Sherard was confirmed as the sole occupant.
Sherard was identified by the Charleston County Coroner’s Office, which confirmed he died from injuries related to the crash. Coroner officials have not yet released further details about Sherard’s background or whether he had family in the area, but community members reacted with sadness at the news of the loss of someone in their thirties.
At this point, investigators have not determined what caused the vehicle to leave the road. Officials say it is too early to speculate on whether speed, impairment, mechanical failure, or poor road conditions contributed to the crash, and they emphasize that the investigation is still active.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Services Unit, a specialized team that handles serious and fatal crashes across the region, is leading the probe. They are urging anyone who may have seen something in the hours before the crash — such as a vehicle driving in the area or unusual activity on nearby backroads — to come forward. Tips can be shared by calling 843‑202‑1700.
Meggett, a small Lowcountry community with winding rural roads and limited lighting in the early morning, has seen occasional serious crashes along its secondary roads. Local authorities continue to press for improved safety measures and awareness, especially in areas where response times can be longer and conditions are more challenging after dark.
