Robert Stempel Obituary, Death Cause; Salley man dies in single-vehicle crash on South Dixie Road.
Robert Stempel Obituary, Death Cause – A man from Salley has died following a single-vehicle crash that occurred on Thursday evening, according to information released by the Aiken County Coroner’s Office. The victim has been identified as 63-year-old Robert Stempel. Authorities say he was involved in a serious accident while driving along South Dixie Road near Jordan Creek Road at approximately 4:16 p.m.
Stempel was operating a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche truck and was heading north on South Dixie Road when the vehicle veered off the left side of the roadway. After leaving the road, the truck collided with a fence and overturned. Emergency services responded to the scene and determined that Stempel had sustained critical injuries.
Due to the severity of his condition, Stempel was airlifted to Prisma Health in Columbia for emergency medical treatment. Unfortunately, despite efforts to save him, he later died as a result of his injuries.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office responded to Prisma Health to investigate the fatality. Officials stated that toxicology tests are underway to determine whether any substances may have played a role in the crash. The results of those tests are still pending and will form part of the ongoing investigation.
Both the Aiken County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are actively looking into the circumstances that led to the crash. So far, authorities have not indicated whether speed, distraction, weather, or other factors may have contributed to the accident.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and there were no reports of additional injuries. Investigators are working to piece together the sequence of events and will use all available evidence, including vehicle condition and roadway factors, to determine the cause of the accident.
The tragic death of Robert Stempel has left the local Salley community in mourning. He was reportedly the only person in the vehicle at the time of the crash, and his sudden passing has prompted an outpouring of sympathy from friends and neighbors.
As the investigation continues, officials will await toxicology results and any further information that may clarify what happened in the moments leading up to the crash. Authorities are encouraging any witnesses or individuals with knowledge of the incident to contact the South Carolina Highway Patrol or the coroner’s office.
More updates are expected as the investigation progresses and the coroner’s office completes its report. In the meantime, loved ones of Robert Stempel are left grieving a tragic loss, and the community remains on alert as officials continue efforts to improve roadway safety and prevent future tragedies.
