Fatal accident between Walhalla and Westminster

The highway patrol has announced that the driver of a pickup truck in a late night Oconee County accident died after being taken to the hospital.  Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis has identified the deceased as Rene Vargas-Pacheco, 38, of Walhalla.  Lance Corp. David Jones said in the circumstances of the accident a pickup truck left the right side of SC 183/the Westminster Highway at Oak Grove Road, and hit a tree.  The accident occurred at 11:30 last night.  The driver, the only occupant, wore a seatbelt and was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:56 am from blunt force chest trauma.