The Newberry community is grieving the tragic loss of 87-year-old James Pratt Schumpert, a longtime local resident, who died in a two-vehicle collision on Tuesday at the intersection of C.R. Koon Highway and Shrine Club Road. Schumpert was a passenger in the crash and was pronounced deceased shortly after first responders arrived at the scene.
According to the Newberry County Coroner’s Office, the force of the collision caused fatal injuries. Emergency crews transported other occupants from the vehicles to nearby hospitals for medical attention, though officials have not released updates on their conditions. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of Schumpert’s death, a standard procedure in cases involving sudden or unexpected loss of life.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is working alongside the Coroner’s Office to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including reviewing evidence from the scene, studying traffic factors, and interviewing those involved. Early reports do not indicate whether weather, speed, or other factors contributed to the accident, and authorities have emphasized that more information will be released as the investigation progresses.
Community members remember Schumpert as a long-standing figure in Newberry, and his passing has brought deep sadness to those who knew him. Residents are reflecting on the tragedy while also emphasizing roadway safety in his memory. His family, neighbors, and friends continue to mourn, honoring the life of a respected member of their community.
