SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) –
A driver pulled from a burning car by passing drivers after an accident on Highway 146 in Spartanburg County has died from injuries suffered in the crash.
A car and truck collided head on Monday morning on Highway 146 about two miles east on Woodruff.
Troopers say the driver of the car died from his injuries at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
The coroner says Frank Robert Kleckner, 61, of Grace Chapel Road was killed.
Kleckner was a track coach and teacher at Southside Christian School.
Roebuck firefighters were called to assist in the accident where crews from Hobbysville, Woodruff, Cross Anchor and Enoree had responded.
Both drivers were out of the vehicles by the time firefighters arrived, according to the Roebuck Fire Department.
A Hobbysville firefighter says one man pulled the driver out of the burning car to a safe distance from the vehicle. A second person who stopped performed CPR on him.
Troopers say Kleckner and a 42-year-old Enoree man crashed head on. The other driver was injured and taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
Trooper Joe Hovis said charges are pending.
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A longtime track coach and teacher at Southside Christian School in Simpsonville was killed in a fiery crash Monday on his way to school, according to authorities and school officials.
Frank Robert Kleckner, 61, of Enoree, died of his injuries after a collision at the intersection of Cross Anchor and Kilgore Bridge roads in Woodruff, said Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger.
Troopers said Kleckner was struck head-on by a Dodge pickup about 6:10 a.m. Monday.
Both vehicles were on fire when multiple fire departments were dispatched to the scene, according to the Roebuck Fire District.
A longtime track coach and teacher at Southside Christian School was killed in a fiery crash in Spartanburg County Monday. (Photo: Provided/Roebuck Fire District)
Passing motorists were able to get Kleckner out of his vehicle before firefighters arrived, firefighters said.
In a Facebook post Monday afternoon, Southside Christian School said:
"We are so saddened to report that our beloved Frank Kleckner, long-time track coach and teacher, received fatal injuries during a fog-related traffic accident this morning, Please pray for Frank's wife and for the entire Kleckner family. Mrs. Kleckner wanted everyone to know that 'Coach Kleckner loved those kids.' Indeed he did. And we loved him."
The South Carolina Highway Patrol's accident reconstruction team was investigating the crash.
Charges are pending against the driver of the pickup truck —, a 42-year-old man from Enoree, said Trooper Joe Hovis.
A prayer service for Kleckner and his family was to be held at 7 p.m. Monday on the track of Sabre Stadium at the school on 2211 Woodruff Road.
A longtime track coach and teacher at Southside Christian School was killed in a fiery crash in Spartanburg County Monday. (Photo: Provided/Roebuck Fire District)
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SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. —
An Upstate track coach and teacher died after a head-on crash Monday morning, school officials confirmed Monday.
The Spartanburg County Coroner's Office said Frank Robert Kleckner, 61, of Enoree was taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries.
Southside Christian School superintendent Sam Barfell posted a statement Monday afternoon on the school's Facebook page: "I am so saddened to report that our beloved Frank Kleckner; longtime track coach and teacher, received fatal injuries during a fog-related traffic accident on Monday morning.
"Please pray for Frank's wife, Dianne, and for the entire Kleckner family.
"We will share more information as it becomes available.
"Dianne wanted everyone to know, 'Coach Kleckner loved those kids.' Indeed he did. And we loved him. Mrs. Kleckner appreciated your support and asks that you respect her privacy for the next day or so.
"Please pray for the students, staff members and families of Southside Christian School."
Troopers said the crash was reported just before 8:15 a.m. on Cross Anchor Road about two and a half miles east of Woodruff.
The driver of a 2008 Dodge pickup truck was also taken to the hospital after the head-on collision with Kleckner's 1996 Toyota, troopers said.
There was no immediate word on the condition of the pickup driver.
The wreck is under investigation by the Highway Patrol.
A prayer service for Kleckner was held Monday night at the school's track. Another prayer service was held Tuesday morning inside the school's gym.
Southside parents were told exams are canceled because of Kleckner's death.
WYFF News 4 will have more information as this story develops.