OCONEE COUNTY— Carlos Gutierrez-Guzman, age 44, died on March 30 after being struck by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 85.
Authorities reported that Guzman lost control of his vehicle and struck a guardrail while driving south on the interstate. His vehicle came to a stop in the southbound lane where he exited and stood in the roadway near milepost 2.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol stated a 2022 tractor-trailer traveling south struck Guzman at around 4:10 a.m. The tractor-trailer driver was not injured.
The Oconee County Coroner’s Office confirmed Guzman died at the scene from blunt force trauma.
An investigation by the Oconee County Coroner’s Office remains ongoing.
Carlos Gutierrez-Guzman killed in Oconee County accident
March 31, 2025
Incident Location
CRASH INVESTIGATION
Candice Bond, an experienced tractor-trailer accident attorney, said that in such cases, it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted promptly to protect the rights of a victim.
“Tractor-trailer crashes are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents,” said Bond, a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
“A skilled attorney can protect victims from trucking companies, which often send their own investigators to crash sites and possess a variety of resources they can utilize to defend a negligent truck driver.
“Your lawyer can advocate for you by hiring expert witnesses, conducting driver background checks, locating witnesses to the crash, and reviewing applicable insurance coverage, while carefully guiding a victim through the legal process.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
The family of Carlos Gutierrez-Guzman may pursue compensation for damages such as costs associated with the death, loss of income and companionship, and other hardships.
“A death to a family member after an accident is both tragic and devastating to a surviving family. The grief, shock, and anger can be overwhelming,” said Bond.
She added, “Aside from the emotional suffering of those left behind, the death of someone close can have devastating financial implications. Loss of income and funeral costs alone can have tragic consequences when a family member is lost.”
Accident Injury News' national legal analyst Candice Bond is experienced in commercial trucking accidents. If you or a family member need help, she is available for a free consultation to guide you
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
