Edisto Island Fatal Crash Claims Life of 39-Year-Old Woman on Highway 174

EDISTO ISLAND, S.C. — A 39-year-old Edisto Island woman was killed in an Edisto Island fatal crash early Saturday morning after her vehicle struck a tree along Highway 174, according to Charleston County authorities.

The Charleston County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Sierra Curnell of Edisto Island. Curnell was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred just before 1 a.m. Saturday.

Where the Edisto Island Fatal Crash Happened

The single-vehicle collision took place at the intersection of Highway 174 and Oak Island Road, a well-traveled corridor that serves as the primary route onto and off of Edisto Island.

According to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, a midsize sedan was traveling westbound on Highway 174 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and left the roadway, striking a tree. Curnell, the sole occupant identified in initial reports, did not survive the impact.

Highway 174 — known locally as the Edisto Island Scenic Byway — is a designated South Carolina scenic route lined with moss-draped live oaks and tight curves, and it has long been associated with serious crashes, particularly during overnight hours.

Investigation Underway by Charleston County Sheriff’s Office

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Services Unit is leading the investigation into the Edisto Island fatal crash. Investigators have not yet released information on what caused the driver to lose control, and no additional details have been provided regarding weather, road conditions, or whether any other factors contributed to the collision.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office at 843-202-1700.

Part of a Troubling Week for Charleston County Roadways

Saturday’s Edisto Island fatal crash is the latest in a string of deadly traffic incidents across Charleston County. On Friday alone, two other people were killed in separate wrecks:

• A 67-year-old Charleston man was killed in an auto-pedestrian crash on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant.
• A driver died following a crash on Clements Ferry Road in the Cainhoy area.

The cluster of fatal crashes in a roughly 48-hour window has renewed concern among local residents and safety advocates about traffic fatalities on Charleston County’s rural highways and suburban arterials.

Highway 174 Safety Concerns

Highway 174 from the mainland to Edisto Beach is a roughly 20-mile stretch with limited shoulders, few streetlights, and dense tree cover extending to the road’s edge in many places. Single-vehicle crashes involving trees along this corridor are not uncommon, particularly during nighttime and early-morning hours when visibility is reduced.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation has historically cited Highway 174 as a roadway where driver error, speed, and impaired driving can produce especially severe outcomes due to the proximity of fixed objects to the travel lanes.

What Happens Next

The Charleston County Coroner’s Office is expected to release additional details about Curnell following the completion of preliminary findings. Toxicology and autopsy results typically take several weeks to finalize.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

This story will be updated as additional information becomes available. If you have information about the Edisto Island fatal crash, contact the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office at 843-202-1700.