Derek Goins Obituary, Death – Authorities in Marlboro County have released the identity of the man killed in a fatal train-versus-truck crash earlier this week in the McColl community. Marlboro County Coroner De’Aron Smith confirmed that the victim was Derek Goins, a resident of McColl, who died after his pickup truck collided with a train on Monday afternoon.
The tragic incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Briar Patch Road, a rural stretch in the McColl area where railroad tracks intersect with local roadways. Emergency crews from multiple agencies, including the coroner’s office, responded quickly after reports came in of a serious collision involving a Chevy F10 pickup truck and an EMD train.
According to information provided by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Goins was driving his truck westbound on Briar Patch Road when the collision occurred. At the same time, a train was traveling northbound along the tracks. For reasons still under investigation, the pickup truck and the train met at the crossing, resulting in a violent crash.
The impact left the truck badly mangled, and despite emergency responders arriving shortly after the accident, Goins was pronounced dead at the scene. Coroner Smith later confirmed his death and notified family members. No other injuries were reported among the train crew or nearby individuals.
Authorities have not yet provided details on the exact circumstances that led to the collision. Investigators are working to determine whether warning signals were functioning properly at the crossing and whether visibility, driver error, or other contributing factors played a role. Railroad crossings in rural areas like McColl often lack extensive safety barriers, which has been a long-standing concern for traffic officials and local residents.
Train-versus-vehicle accidents are often fatal due to the sheer size and momentum of trains. Safety officials stress that trains cannot stop quickly, making it critical for drivers to exercise extreme caution when approaching railroad tracks. The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Marlboro County Coroner’s Office will continue working with railroad officials as part of the ongoing investigation.
The loss of Derek Goins has left the McColl community grieving. In small towns, tragedies like this resonate deeply, as residents are often personally connected to the victim or their family. Friends, neighbors, and community members have expressed their condolences and offered support, recognizing the sudden and devastating nature of the crash.
In addition to the local response, transportation safety advocates often use incidents like this to renew calls for improved infrastructure at railroad crossings, especially in rural counties. Suggestions include adding gates, lights, and clearer signage to reduce the risk of collisions. While no specific failures have been identified in this case, the tragedy highlights the dangers that rural crossings can pose.
The coroner’s office confirmed that standard investigative procedures will include reviewing medical and toxicology findings, although no immediate evidence has suggested impairment was a factor. The primary focus remains on the sequence of events that led to the crash and whether all warning systems were in place and operational.
Meanwhile, cleanup crews worked at the scene to clear the wreckage and inspect the tracks for damage, ensuring that train operations could safely resume. The train involved in the crash sustained some impact damage but was later moved from the site.
For the family of Derek Goins, the heartbreaking loss has brought an outpouring of sympathy and support from the Marlboro County community. While the official investigation continues, the community is left to grieve the sudden death of a neighbor whose life was cut short in a tragic and violent collision.
