Driver Dies in Crash on I-26; 7 Passengers Injured

A 29-year-old man died in a crash on Interstate 26 early Tuesday morning after the SUV he was driving ran off the road and overturned, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol. 

Demariel C. Smith of Gaffney was driving seven of his relatives back from the beach when his SUV ran off I-26 westbound around 2:10 a.m., according to the Richland County Coroner's Office. The crash happened near mile marker 99, which is near the Peak exit. 

Smith was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the SUV, Coroner Gary Watts said. He died at the scene. 

All of Smith's relatives were wearing seatbelts or restraint devices and survived the crash, Watts said. 

Four of Smith's relatives were children, according to a report from WIS. All seven of them were taken to area hospitals.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.