A reversed stop sign was the cause of a two-car collision in Orangeburg Thursday that sent two area women to the hospital, police say.

According to state law, if a death occurs as a result of a vandalized or altered stop sign or other directional indicator, the penalty can be severe.

“It is serious business when you alter a traffic-control device,” Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Capt. Thad Turner said. “Certainly a collision can result and people can die from it.”

A 25-year-old Orangeburg woman and a 44-year-old Neeses woman were involved in a collision Thursday, investigators say, after a stop sign at the junction of Waring and Windsor streets was intentionally reversed.

Police say that, around 12:35 p.m., Evon Jones’ Toyota Avalon traveling south on Waring Street went through the intersection toward Edisto Memorial Gardens.

Jones “wasn’t familiar with the town and went through the intersection,” said ODPS PSO Kevin Dukes. “The two cars collided in the center of the intersection.”

Both women were taken to the hospital with what were believed to be non-life-threatening issues.

Due to the circumstances, no charges are expected against the women, Dukes said.

However, police are investigating the reversal of the stop sign on the north side of Waring. The sign had been turned completely around, leaving only a gray-colored blank sign facing oncoming traffic.

State statute 56-5-1030 makes it a felony to alter, deface or otherwise change a traffic control device.

Just turning the sign around can net an individual a fine of $1,000 or more and jail time of up to five years. The perpetrator’s driver’s license is also revoked for five years. If the subject doesn’t have a driver’s license, he or she will not be able to apply for five years.

If injuries are involved in a crash, like Tuesday’s collision, the penalty is at least a $1,000 fine and up to 10 years in jail.

The sentence goes up to 30 years in prison if a death occurs as a result of a car crash.

With Jones’ vehicle overturned, Dukes said the severity of the crash could have resulted in serious injuries to the women.

“Had they not been wearing their seat belts, it could have been much worse,” Dukes said.

You must be logged in to comment.