South Carolina Investigator Killed in On-Duty Auto Crash
Investigator Holmes Smith, 45, of Sumter, was driving on U.S. 521 just before 2:30 p.m. when the accident occurred. Smith was returning to Clarendon County after meeting with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division special agents as a part of an auto theft investigation.

Investigator Holmes Smith (Photo: Clarendon County Sheriff's Department)
A Clarendon County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Department investigator was killed in a single vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon, according to department officials.
Investigator Holmes Smith, 45, of Sumter, was driving on U.S. 521 just before 2:30 p.m. when the accident occurred. Smith was returning to Clarendon County after meeting with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division special agents as a part of an auto theft investigation.
Lance Cpl. David Jones, a South Carolina Highway Patrol spokesman, told the State newspaper it is unclear at this time if Smith was wearing a seat belt during the accident. There was no further information released about the accident, which is being investigated by the highway patrol.
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