Driver crashes vehicle into canal, flees scene; passenger hospitalized

State troopers are investigating a Friday morning crash that sent at least one man to the hospital after a pickup truck crashed into the canal in Graniteville.

The vehicle, driven by Phillip Logan Jackson, 22, of Graniteville, was headed down the Gregg Highway hill and ran the stop sign, said S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Judd Jones.

The 2004 Chevy pickup truck struck the railroad tracks and a tree and went into the canal, the trooper added.

Passersby notified local law enforcement there had been a wreck, and it was unclear as to whether anyone was trapped inside the vehicle.

The passengers, police later learned, had gotten out of the vehicle, but not before a sheriff's office deputy jumped into the canal to be certain, said Capt. Troy Elwell, a sheriff's office spokesman.

State troopers said Jackson fled the area before the authorities arrived.

He was not injured.

A passenger, Evan Moore, 22, of Graniteville, was transported to a local hospital.

The extent of his injuries were not reported.

Officials said they did not believe the injuries were life-threatening.

Another passenger, Thomas Leopard, 20, was possibly injured, officials said.

Karen Daily, a graduate of USC, has been the crime reporter at the Aiken Standard for seven years. She has reported for it since 2001.