ST. GEORGE — There were plans for a celebration with cake and ice cream, family, friends and cousins.

But one week shy of her second birthday party, little Madison Dobbin was pronounced dead after what investigators say was a two-car, head-on collision Tuesday. Her parents, 21-year-old Shaquana Dobbin and 18-year-old Chazz Harrison, also died as a result of the accident, according to Ling Funeral Home.

“I’ll tell you, losing two members, it’s hard,” said Tom Dobbin, Shaquana’s father.

S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Judd Jones said the collision happened around 4:20 p.m. Tuesday on U.S. 178 about six miles east of Bowman and four miles from Dobbin’s home.

Authorities believe a 2008 Chevrolet truck driven by a 26-year-old St. George woman veered into the path of Dobbin’s Honda Accord.

The Chevrolet’s driver and her passenger were taken to the Regional Medical Center. The trooper did not know their medical condition.

Jones said emergency workers had to extricate Shaquana Dobbin from the Honda. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

One week shy of her chance to blow out the candles, Madison, along with Harrison, were rushed to medical facilities.

According to the SCHP Web site, Harrison lingered for about five hours before succumbing to his injuries.

Little Madison lost her fight about an hour after the crash.

Trooper Jones said the accident is still under investigation and no one has been charged in connection with it.

Tom Dobbin described his daughter as a caring individual who didn’t drink or carouse. She was a young woman who enjoyed her church.

“She was a good mother,” Dobbin said. “She was an all-around good girl; she was a young lady.”

Dobbin said Shaquana enjoyed watching videos and attending St. Mark United Methodist Church, where she was a member.

Although Madison’s birthday fell on a weekday, plans were being made to celebrate next Saturday to allow relatives a chance to wear birthday hats along with the birthday girl.

On Tuesday, Shaquana, Madison and Harrison were on their way to Bowman to order the birthday cake at the IGA supermarket. With that ordered, the party hats and napkins could be picked out, Dobbin said.

Around 4 p.m., the trio left Dobbin’s home. Shaquana waved and told her father goodbye for the last time, he said.

Later, a law enforcement official drove into his yard, the officer bearing the news no father wants to hear.

“We were looking forward to next weekend,” the grief-stricken father and grandfather said. “It’s just devastating.”

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5516. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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