One killed, two injured when SUV,
school bus collide in Greenwood

Local woman’s vehicle hits Emerald High bus head-on

November 16, 2005

By VIC MacDONALD and MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writers

A Greenwood woman died, a school bus driver and a student were hurt and 25 Emerald High students were shaken in a Tuesday afternoon wreck on a stretch of road that area residents said is the location of speeding and other wrecks.
The woman’s SUV and the bus collided head-on and were both damaged on the front driver’s side of the vehicles. After it was struck, the bus went off the right side of East Northside Drive and knocked down a power pole. The front of the bus came to rest about 12 feet from a natural gas line.
Wellington Drive resident Anita Smith said she was in her kitchen when she heard a loud “thud” outside her home. “We saw the school bus driver frantically moving her hands,” she said. “I came out of the house and that’s when I saw that a car was involved.
“Students were crying, and they immediately got off of the bus,” she added. “The pole fell later. That’s when we saw smoke, and everyone started running away.”
Emerald students exited the bus just before the power pole fell onto the road, causing a transformer on the pole to explode in the middle of the road. Power was knocked out for about a half-hour and affected about 75 people, according to Duke Power spokeswoman Carol Christiano.
“It was an awful explosion,” said Dorothy Whitt, who was in the rear of her home at 423 E. Northside Drive. Whitt went outside to help the students when the pole fell. “They put the kids on another bus. We have no power.”
Whitt said people came through the woods at the rear of her home from the Cherokee Hills subdivision to help.
Dr. Jack Parham was one of those who arrived to help.
“Before I even got here I heard the sirens,” Parham said. “The lights flickered and somebody said they heard a crash.”
Parham stayed at the accident scene to assist. He praised the emergency response.
“I was very impressed by the rapidity of the response,” he said. “The organization to get everyone here promptly … it was so sad to have to do it … it was so efficient. They’re to be congratulated.”
Greenwood County Deputy Coroner Marcia Kelley identified the driver of the SUV as Erlene King Pope, 74, of 106 Beech Court.
Pope died at the scene.
Pope had just gotten off work at Wal-Mart and was going home, Kelley said. Beech Court is north of the wreck scene, off Deadfall Road near Parkland Golf Club.
The wreck occurred about 500 yards from the rear entrance to Greenwood High School at 3:21 p.m., when the school was letting out, and near the front entrance to Pinecrest Elementary.
Traffic was blocked from entering Northside Drive from S.C. 254 and on the opposite end of the wreck scene near the G. Frank Russell Career and Technology Center.
A crowd of people gathered behind yellow police tape at the Belle Meade subdivision along Colonial Drive, watching as emergency personnel worked to clear shattered glass and other debris from the roadway.
“We have wrecks all of the time out here,” Smith said, “but nothing like this.”
Whitt and others at the scene said cars speed along the road all the time.
Once, a driver ran into the woods beside the Whitts’ home, and another time — New Year’s Eve — a driver just left his car sitting in the front yard, its underside torn up from hitting a culvert pipe.
Parham said another fatality happened at the house next to the Whitts’ in the early 1970s. Along nearby S.C. 254, which runs beside Greenwood High, things aren’t much better, speed-wise, he added.
“They scare me to death at Greenwood High; I’m going through there at 25 (mph) and people are passing me,” Parham said.
The speed limit along the stretch of road where the wreck happened is 35 mph, and it is a no-pass zone. Pope was wearing a seat belt. It was not immediately determined if speed was a factor.
The road remained blocked, at least until 11 p.m., following the wreck as investigators with the S.C. Highway Patrol MAIT (Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team) worked to reconstruct the wreck.
Highway Patrol spokesman Steve Sluder said the driver of the school bus, Annquenettes Puckett Wright, 32, of Greenwood, was taken by ambulance to Self Regional Medical Center. A student was taken to the emergency room after complaining of dizziness, said Greenwood School District 50 Superintendent Bill Steed.
A shift supervisor with Self Regional said the wreck victims were being treated for their injuries and were listed in “good” condition Tuesday night.
The bus was taking students from the Russell Career Center back to Emerald High when the accident occurred. Robert McClinton, assistant superintendent of administration, was on the scene of the accident with Director of Transportation Robert Riley.
“We still don’t know all the details,” McClinton said.
As dictated by district policy, another bus was called to the scene to take students back to Emerald High.
Sluder said witnesses told investigators the SUV went left of center for “an unknown reason.” Kelley said an autopsy for Pope would be scheduled today at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital.

Staff Writer Jackie R. Broach contributed to this article.

Dwight O’Neal Fox

AIKEN, SC — Dwight O’Neal Fox, 62, of Aiken entered into rest Monday, November 14, 2005 in Lexington Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at Earle Church of God in Aiken with the Rev. Tony Garrett officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Spring Cemetery.
Mr. Fox was born September 10, 1943 in Aiken County, the son of the late Mark O’Neal Fox and survived by his mother and step-father, Lula Mae and John Albert Bearden. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
Surviving are his two daughters and sons in law, Angela Fox and James Cecil Ivey of Charlotte, NC, Lisa Fox and Jimmy Whetstone of Salley, SC; two grandsons, Jody Darren Whetstone, and Jameon Kyle Whetstone, both of Salley, SC; brother and sister in law, Mark and Teresa Fox of Greenwood, and a sister and brother in law, Donna and Harry Rankin of Aiken, SC.
Visitation was 6-8 P.M. Tuesday ay Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home 715 East Pine Log Rd.
Memorials may be made to Earle Church of God Youth Ministry, 341 Earle Church Rd., Aiken, SC 29805.
Please sign the online registry at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com
Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home, 715 East Pine Log Rd., Aiken, SC 29803
PAID OBITUARY

Willie Charlie Hill

PLUM BRANCH — Willie Charlie Hill, 65, husband of Cornelia Price Hill, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood after a sudden illness.
Born in McCormick County, he was a son of the late Charlie and Minnie Lee Tolbert Hill. He was a member of Cedar Spring Baptist Church, where he was a trustee and a former superintendent of the Sunday School. A 1960 graduate of Mims High School, he was employed with McCormick Milliken Plant for more than 48 years.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Mrs. Demetrius (Carolyn) Mack and Vanessa Hill, both of Columbia; a son, Willie C. Hill Jr. of Ninety Six; a brother, James A. Hill of Ninety Six; two sisters, Mrs. James (Minnie J.) Tompkins of Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Ronnie (Fannie M.) Devine of North Augusta; four grandchildren.
The family is at the home, 2197 Upper Mill Road.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home, McCormick.

David Burl Oliphant

NINETY SIX — Services for David Burl Oliphant, of 207 Little Mountain Road, are 2 p.m. Thursday at Young Mount Zion Baptist Church, Saluda, conducted by Pastor Robert Livingston, assisted by the Rev. Johnny C. Gantt and Minister Wilhemenia Coleman. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews, and flower bearers are nieces.
Honorary escorts are Riverside High School Class of 1965 members.
Viewing is 1-9 today and 8 a.m.-12 Thursday at Butler & Sons Funeral Home.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, is in charge.

William Lee Smith

William Lee Smith, 63, of 112 Spring Woods Trail, husband of Lolita Brown Smith, died Monday, Nov. 14, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Fayetteville, N.C., he was a son of Verola Smith Miller and the late Robert Ford. He was employed with the City of Greenwood Sanitation Department and was a member of Grace Community Church.
Survivors include his mother of Detroit; his wife of the home; three sons, Emmanuel Smith, Jonathan Smith and Isaiah Smith, all of the home; five brothers, Albert Miller, Keith Miller, Nathaniel Miller, Rickie Miller, Gregory Miller, all of Detroit; and a sister, Patricia Miller of Detroit.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Georgie Summey

GREENWOOD — Georgie Satcher Summey, 81, of 102 Essex Court, wife of Roy Daniel Summey, died Monday, November 14, 2005 at NHC of Laurens.
Born in Aiken County, she was a daughter of the late Bryan and Millie Fulmer Satcher. She was retired from Greenwood Mills, Mathews Plant and was a member of Rehoboth United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Mary Witt Circle and the Willing Workers Sunday School Class.
Surviving is her husband of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Jimmy Corley of Greenwood; two sons and daughters-in-law, Danny and Gayle Summey of Ninety Six and Bryan and Theresa Summey of Bradley; three sisters, Maye S. Riddle of Greenville, Helen S. Timmerman Jordan of Greenwood and Nona S. Jacobs of Lexington; nine grand-children and their spouses, Robby and Karla Corley, Ginger and Scott Carter, Gina and Brian Wood, Jeff and Renee Summey, Tracie and Lance Taylor, Jason Palmer, Craig Palmer, Stephanie Gossett and Richie Summey; and ten great grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Rehoboth United Methodist Church with the Rev. Joseph L. Curtis and the Rev. Gayle Summey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Lewis Beaube, Robert Timmerman, Teddy Jordan, Richie Summey, Roy Dickerson, Hilty Dodgen, Dan Warner and Robby Corley.
Honorary escort will be the members of the Mary Witt Circle and the Willing Workers Sunday School Class of Rehoboth United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. The body will be placed in church at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Rehoboth United Methodist Church designated for the heating and cooling fund, 1808 Callison Highway, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Belinda Gail Bishop Johnson in Monday’s paper, a survivor was omitted in information provided to The Index-Journal. Survivors include her grandmother, Vernie Bishop of Greenwood.

Wilson enjoys playing for S.C. in Crown Cup

November 16, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

A local golfer recently represented South Carolina in a prestigious golf tournament.
Patrick Wilson, a senior at Greenwood Christian School, played in the Crown Cup Junior Golf Tournament last weekend at the Birkdale Golf Club in Huntersville, N.C.
Wilson was one of 30 golfers chosen to represent South Carolina in the event, which pits players from the Palmetto State against a group from North Carolina. The Charlotte Regional Sports Commission organized the tournament for the seventh consecutive year.
According to Wilson, who played in the 14-17 age group, he was selected to play when a slot that was originally taken by another player came open. The commissioner of the tournament called the South Carolina Junior Golf Association for recommendations on a replacement. That’s when Wilson got the call.
“They contacted me, so I sent in an application,” said Wilson, also a member of the GCS golf team.
“It was as simple as that. I was excited about playing in a tournament with the reputation of the Crown Cup.”
The tournament was played in Ryder Cup format, which means the teams participated in match play rather than the more traditional stroke play.
The format also required competitors to pair up with a fellow team member on the first day.
The teams play best ball, meaning that after both teammates have struck the ball, they can then choose which shot they want to play.
It was a format that suited Wilson just fine.
“I like the match play better than stroke play,” Wilson said. “In stroke play, one bad hole ruins your whole round. But in match play, you have a bad hole, you can just regroup and try to get it back on the next one. It’s a lot of fun.”
Wilson’s partner for the first day was Evan White of Hilton Head. Wilson said White is a solid player, and that the pair complimented each other quite well.
Before the Crown Cup, Wilson expected the course at Birkdale to be beautiful but challenging. It didn’t disappoint.
“I felt like the course would probably be really nice if a tournament like this one was going to be there,” Wilson said. “And it was. It was a tough course, as well. The greens were quick and tough to read. It was a course you kind of had to think your way through.”
Despite its best efforts, the Palmetto State squad didn’t fare very well against North Carolina. North Carolina won the event 71 ½ to 24 ½. North Carolina now holds a 4-3 advantage over the duration of the Crown Cup’s existence.
Wilson was impressed with the level of play from players of both states.
“The level of play was unbelievable,” Wilson said. “Some of those North Carolina players were off the charts. We played well, but it just didn’t work out.”
Wilson has tentative plans for what he would like to do after he graduates in the spring.
“I’m applying to Lander,” Wilson said. “I’d like to play golf there. I’ve talked to (Lander athletic director) Jeff May, and I’m hoping to set up a meeting with (Lander golf) coach (Chipper) Bagwell. We’ll see what happens.”

Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com

Freedom of Information Act is there for benefit of public

November 16, 2005

Most people in South Carolina are now aware that some public officials handle public business as if it were their own and not the public’s. Too many, it appears, go behind closed doors when they should be out in the open. After a while it becomes a pattern and the public should know it. Unfortunately, some don’t.
So, when the Associated Press, the South Carolina Press Association and newspapers conducted an audit to determine whether public officials always observed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and how, the public should have approved.
Some people, no doubt, did not approve, and may have seen the reporting on the results of the audit as a self-serving exercise for the press. How some newspapers presented those results may well have reinforced a public impression that it was indeed for their own benefit.

SOME NEWSPAPERS MAY HAVE handled those results for their own purposes, there’s no getting around that possibility. Whether they did or not, though, some people, after all, will believe only what they want to believe.
If the FOIA had been enacted for the press only, there might have been some basis for that impression. The press, though, is only the secondary beneficiary of the law. The primary thrust of the Act is the public. It was designed to make sure the public has access to what business public servants conduct and how they conduct it. It is, in fact, there to enforce the public’s right to know.
Much of the time, of course, much of the public does not have the time needed to observe how public business is conducted. Therefore, it depends on the press to be its surrogate.

WHETHER THE PUBLIC TAKES an active role or not, though, the Freedom of Information Act is there for the public, whether directly or indirectly.
Remember two things Thomas Jefferson said. One: “Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.” Two: “I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take from them, but to inform their discretion.”
So, when government is open, and the people are free to see how their business is conducted, freedom perseveres. The FOIA upholds that right. It’s an affront to every South Carolinian when it is violated.