2 Army National Guard soldiers killed in head-on collision

UNION, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - The South Carolina Army National Guard said two women killed in a crash in Union have been identified as soldiers.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash occurred on Jonesville Lockhart Highway at around 4:10 p.m. on March 16.

A sedan was traveling south when it collided head on with a pickup truck that was going in the northbound direction, investigators said.

The drivers of both vehicles were taken to the hospital for treatment, but the passenger in the sedan died at the scene.

The Union County Coroner identified the passenger as Carol Santiago.

The National Guard said Santiago, of Lancaster, was a human resources specialist assigned to the 228th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade. Her awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon.

Officials said Spc. Kristal Lopez, the driver of Santiago’s car, died from her injuries a week later on March 23 at Spartanburg Regional Hospital.

Lopez, also of Lancaster, was a paralegal specialist assigned to the 228th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade.

Both of the victims were just 19 years old.

“The South Carolina National Guard is in mourning today. We have lost not one, but two of our family members with Spc. Kristal Lopez’s passing. There is no way to reconcile such a loss,” the National Guard said. “Please keep the Lopez and Santiago families in your thoughts and prayers.”

The incident is still under investigation. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Copyright 2024 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.