Lexington, Richland Counties Among Leaders in SC Traffic Deaths

Lexington County continues to lead all other counties in the state for traffic fatalities so far this year. 

A total of 33 people have died in Lexington County this year, according to a traffic report released Monday by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. 

That's up 13 deaths from the 21 fatalities reported this time last year. 

Greenville County — the second highest county for traffic fatalities — has reported 28 traffic deaths so far compared to 26 deaths last year at this time. 

In Richland County, there have been 26 traffic fatalities up from 22 reported this time last year. 

This weekend two people have died on the roadways of both Lexington and Richland counties.

On Friday, .

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Cunningham was traveling south on Boiling Springs Road when his vehicle went off the right side of the road. He was not wearing a seat belt. 

Then on Sunday night, .

The driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle after running into the back of the tractor trailer,  Cpl. Bob Beres said.

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As of July 1, 399 people have died on South Carolina highways, compared to 400 highway deaths in this same time period in 2011, according to the public safety department. 

Of the 267 motor vehicle occupants who have died in 2012, 170 were not wearing seat belts. 

Through midnight July 2, 49 pedestrians, 57 motorcyclists and 11 bicyclists have died on state roads and highways, according to the release. 

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Troopeers will conduct public safety checkpoints and will be stopping unsafe or overweight trucks on the roads.