RICHLAND, SC, (April 05, 2026) – Two men were killed early Sunday in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 77 in Richland County, authorities said.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol identified the victims as Mark McCormick, 62, of Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, and William Vazquez-Hernandez, 26, of Lexington.
Officials said a 2017 Chevy pickup traveling south in the northbound lanes collided with a 2023 Toyota SUV heading north at about 4:07 a.m. The crash remains under investigation.
According to Candice Bond, an experienced auto accident attorney, several factors can contribute to a wrong-way crash, including driver error, distracted driving, fatigue, and roadway design issues.
One of the leading causes of wrong-way accidents is impaired driving. Data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows that up to 75 percent of such crashes involve drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Bond emphasized that in cases like this, it is important to have an independent investigation conducted promptly by an experienced attorney to preserve critical evidence for victims.
“In addition to the diligent work of police, an attorney will carefully review what may have contributed to the crash,” said Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and a national analyst for Accident Injury News. “An attorney has the resources to hire expert witnesses, conduct driver background checks, locate witnesses, and review insurance coverage. Acting as an advocate, a lawyer can guide victims during this difficult time while protecting their legal rights and interests.”
The family members of Mark McCormick and William Vazquez-Hernandez may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Families may seek compensation for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following such a tragic incident.
“The stress and sorrow after losing a loved one in an accident can be overwhelming,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal. “We understand what families endure, and protecting their rights is crucial. A wrongful death attorney will monitor the investigation and help safeguard their legal rights and best interests.”
(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)
If you or a family member have been involved in a situation similar to this article and would like to speak to our national legal analyst Candice Bond free of charge, please use the contact information found on this page
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
If you or a family member were injured or have lost a loved one in an accident and would like the official Accident Report, Bond Legal can offer their assistance.
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