13th traffic death of year occurs in county
A Laurens man described as a Clemson and NASCAR fan died of injuries suffered in a single-car accident on Fleming Mill Road in Laurens.
The accident occurred just before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22 when Kevin Fulmer, 49, struck a tree that had fallen into the road while driving his 1997 Ford Ranger pickup.
Fulmer was transported to Self Regional Hospital in Greenwood and subsequently released from the emergency room.
Laurens County Coroner Nick Nichols placed the time of death as 7:40 the following evening.
According to Nichols, Fulmer was discovered by his sister, who had come to the victim’s home to check on him on Saturday.
An autopsy determined that Fulmer, who was wearing a seatbelt according the S.C. Highway Patrol, died of blunt-force trauma to the abdomen, Nichols said.
The fatality is the 13th on Laurens County roadways since the beginning of the year. Charleston and Laurens counties lead the state in traffic fatalities in 2017 with 13 each through March 26.
