Local news in brief for Sept. 25

Belvedere man dies after wreck

A Belvedere man died Wednesday from injuries he sustained in an automobile wreck in Edgefield County after veering into the path of an oncoming tractor trailer driven by an Aiken man, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

James Matthew Regina, 49, of Belvedere, died from internal injuries, Deputy Edgefield County Coroner David Burnett confirmed.

The S.C. Highway Patrol reports that both men were the sole occupants in their vehicles and each was restrained.

The crash happened around 12:20 p.m. on U.S. Highway 25, about 6 miles outside of Edgefield.

The 1999 Plymouth minivan driven by Regina veered into the path of the logging truck. The logging truck was not carrying a load at the time, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Woman calls for Wilson protest

An Aiken woman said she is making phone calls, asking people to formally protest the appearance of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., at a rally hosted by the Aiken County Republican Party on Saturday.

"I wasn't a particular fan of George Bush," said DeRena Boose Wednesday. "But I never, ever would have disrespected the man the way Joe Wilson disrespected President Obama."

The rally and fundraiser for the Second District congressman is scheduled at the Greenville Street party headquarters Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

During the president's speech earlier this month, Wilson shouted, "You lie." He has since apologized, and Obama accepted the apology.

Boose said Wilson has a right to his opinion, "but there's a right way to do things, and he was wrong," she said. "To bring him here and pat him on the back, that's being wrong."