A South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper died Friday morning as he was responding to an accident.

Lance Cpl. James D. Haynes died at about 3:30 a.m. on S.C. Highway 33 in Orangeburg County, said Highway Patrol spokesperson Sid Gaulden.

The 38-year-old was heading to the scene of an accident on Interstate 26 involving two tractor trailers when his vehicle skidded off the road and hit a utility pole.

Gaulden said Haynes' car overturned several times before his vehicle struck the utility pole. Gaulden did not know how fast the trooper was driving.

A portion of Highway 33 was blocked to traffic for at least seven hours as crews cleared the scene amid off-and-on rain showers.

The accident is still under investigation. The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office and the Lexington County Sheriff's Office are all assisting in the investigation.

Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams said after the call came in, "We arrived at the scene immediately and called the Lexington County (Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team), which is a highly specialized team, to assist."

"Our accident reconstruction team is conducting a thorough investigation of all aspects of this unfortunate accident," ODPS Captain Mike Adams said. "We anticipate the investigation will take approximately two weeks to complete."

Haynes, a husband and father of two sons, lived in Richland County.

He was assigned to Highway Patrol Troop Seven, Post B, which includes Orangeburg and Calhoun counties.

His fellow troopers remember him as deeply dedicated to his family and to the Highway Patrol. He often received commendations from the public for his selfless service in the performance of his duties.

"The entire department and law enforcement community mourns the sudden loss of Trooper Haynes," said S.C. Department of Public Safety Director James K. Schweitzer. "Our deepest condolences are extended to his family and friends."

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic news we received this morning of Trooper Haynes' death," said Highway Patrol Col. Russell F. Roark III. "Even though we all know that the job of a law enforcement officer is dangerous, we are never prepared for such a loss."

The last trooper to die in the line of duty was J.W. Parker in 2005. Parker was killed in Sumter County.

Further information on memorial service plans will be released by the S.C. Highway Patrol at the wishes of the family.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

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