A single-vehicle crash in Pickens County on Saturday afternoon has left one teenager dead and two others injured. The wreck happened near the intersection of Breazeale Road and Ashley Lane, an area that saw flashing lights and emergency crews just after the collision.
Seventeen-year-old Leeland Cole Yates of Liberty was inside the vehicle when it crashed on February 21, 2026. Pickens County Coroner Andrew Wilson confirmed Yates was a restrained passenger. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two additional occupants were also in the vehicle. Pickens County EMS treated both individuals before transporting them to a local hospital. Authorities said their injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Investigators have not yet said what caused the vehicle to crash. There has been no word on whether weather, mechanical issues, or driver error played a role. Officials are still piecing together the sequence of events that led to the fatal outcome.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash in coordination with the Pickens County Coroner’s Office. As of now, no further details have been made public. The investigation remains ongoing.
Single-vehicle crashes can unfold quickly and without warning. In this case, one young life was lost while two others survived with injuries. The contrast underscores how fragile circumstances can be when something goes wrong on the road.
For the Liberty community, the loss of Leeland Cole Yates marks a painful moment. Authorities continue their work, hoping to provide clarity about what happened on that February afternoon in Pickens County.
