The burned tractor-trailer along the median of I-85 in Cherokee Co. (Sept. 18, 2012/FOX Carolina)GAFFNEY, SC (FOX Carolina) -
A Marine, his wife and their baby were killed in a fiery crash on Interstate 85 in Cherokee County on Tuesday night, according to Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler.
The crash happened at 8:12 p.m. on the southbound side of I-85 near the 97 mile marker.
Fowler said 22-year-old Cpl. Luther Smith IV, his wife, 20-year-old Angelica Smith, and the couple's 6-month-old son were killed in the crash.
"All three victims were riding in a Nissan pickup truck that was heading north and crossed the median entering the south bound lanes, striking a tractor-trailer rig head on.," Fowler said. "The vehicles burst into flames on impact."
The driver and passenger of the tractor-trailer got out of the vehicle uninjured with the help of passing motorists, Fowler said.
Following the crash, both southbound lanes were closed for several hours along with one northbound lane. The interstate has since reopened.
Fowler said the family was traveling back to a Marine Corps base in Quantico, VA, after visiting relatives in Alabama.
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