SUMMERTON, S.C. — Mayor Tony Junious, 48, died in a car crash on Saturday, January 27, 2024, near Summerton, according to authorities.
The crash occurred at an intersection west of Summerton when two vehicles collided, and Junious's car subsequently hit a ditch, said South Carolina Highway Patrol Master Trooper William Bennett. Junious was transported to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
The driver of the other vehicle sustained injuries and was also hospitalized, Bennett confirmed. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is actively investigating the incident.
Jacqueline Blackwell, Clarendon County Coroner, confirmed Junious's death, noting that he was elected as the town's first Black mayor in 2022. The town, located approximately 45 miles southeast of Columbia, has a population of about 800 residents.
In a statement on the town's Facebook page, officials expressed their shock and sorrow: “Mayor Tony Junious' life was dedicated to public service and his love for the Town of Summerton was constantly on display.”