BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. — A Monday roadway tragedy has left a Bluffton community grieving after a 48-year-old man was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on a busy stretch of U.S. Highway 17. Authorities have identified the victim as Scott McKeever, who died at the scene from severe injuries caused by the crash.

According to a report from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the deadly incident happened on U.S. Highway 17 near River Road. Emergency crews were called to the area after reports of a pedestrian being hit by a large commercial vehicle. When first responders arrived, they found McKeever with critical injuries that proved fatal.

The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office confirmed that McKeever died at the scene due to blunt force injuries sustained in the auto-pedestrian crash. Officials said the impact was severe, and despite the rapid response of emergency personnel, there was nothing that could be done to save him. The coroner also confirmed that McKeever was a resident of Bluffton.

Law enforcement officials said the tractor-trailer was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 17 at the time of the crash. Investigators believe McKeever was in the roadway when the collision occurred. Details about why he was in the road or how long he had been there have not yet been released.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the crash, according to authorities. No information has been shared regarding whether the driver will face any charges, and officials have not said if speed, visibility, or other factors played a role in the deadly collision.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident to determine exactly what led up to the crash. Officials are urging drivers and pedestrians alike to remain alert, especially on high-speed highways where pedestrian traffic can be extremely dangerous. As the investigation moves forward, McKeever’s death serves as a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be lost on South Carolina’s roadways.