DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Two people are dead following a serious Thursday night crash involving a CARTA bus on Dorchester Road near Patriot Lane.

Master Trooper Brian Lee with the South Carolina Highway Patrol said a 2014 Toyota Corolla was traveling west on Dorchester Road when it crossed over the median and struck a 2016 Kia Optima shortly after 7:00 p.m.

Trooper Lee said the Toyota then struck a CARTA bus and overturned in the roadway.

A driver and passenger inside the Kia died at the scene from injuries they received in the crash.

Dorchester Road was shut down for several hours – into early Friday morning – while South Carolina Highway Patrol and Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) investigated and cleared the crash site. The roadway reopened 11 hours later.

The driver of the Toyota was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Names of the victims will be released by the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office.

CARTA released the following statement:

“A CARTA bus was struck during a multi-vehicle collision along Dorchester Road this evening. CARTA and BCDCOG officials are on the scene and working with law enforcement and other officials. This is a developing situation. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”

The crash is under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.