BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. — Authorities have identified the man who died in a fatal single-vehicle crash late Monday night in Berkeley County. The Berkeley County Coroner confirmed the victim as 42-year-old Aubrey German of Huger. The crash has left family members mourning and prompted renewed reminders about roadway safety and seatbelt use.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the collision occurred around 10:15 p.m. along Cainhoy Road. German was traveling westbound when his vehicle first left the right side of the roadway. Investigators said he then attempted to correct the vehicle’s path but overcorrected, causing the car to cross back over the roadway.
Troopers said the vehicle then traveled off the left side of the road, where it struck a tree. The impact was severe, and emergency responders were called to the scene. Due to the force of the crash, the vehicle sustained significant damage, and German suffered critical injuries.
German was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the coroner’s office. Authorities reported that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Officials noted that being unrestrained likely contributed to the severity of his injuries, though the investigation into the exact circumstances of the crash remains ongoing.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol said overcorrection is a common factor in many single-vehicle crashes, especially on rural roads. When a driver drifts off the roadway and suddenly steers sharply to regain control, it can cause the vehicle to become unstable. At higher speeds, this loss of control can quickly lead to serious or fatal crashes.
The death has deeply affected the Huger community, where friends and neighbors are remembering German as authorities continue their investigation. Troopers are reviewing evidence from the scene to determine if additional factors, such as speed, road conditions, or other issues, played a role. Officials are using the tragedy as a reminder to drivers to stay alert, maintain control of their vehicles, and always wear seatbelts. Even short trips, authorities stress, can turn deadly in an instant without proper safety measures in place.
