Residents tell council Chapman Hill bridge guardrail unsafe after vehicle nearly went over embankment

Two residents told the Clemson City Council on Feb. 17 that a bridge on Chapman Hill Valley Road near The Grange needs immediate repairs after a vehicle lost a wheel and nearly went over a 15-foot embankment.

Rose, a resident who identified herself only by first name during public comment, said her daughter — a 20-year-old Clemson track athlete — drove across the bridge after a rear tire failed and “the wheel, the axle, like, everything left her car.” Rose said guardrails are “about this big” and that a large section is exposed, leaving drivers at risk of falling down the embankment.

Richard Kevin Pruitt, who gave his address as 126 Ridgeline Road and said he and his wife came upon the crash scene, told council members the vehicle’s occupant was fortunate to survive and urged the city to place repairs and a study of needed road improvements at the top of its list. “If it had not been for the grace of God and Sofia’s strength, she would have gone down that embankment,” Pruitt said.

Council members did not make an immediate commitment to a timeline at the meeting but discussed that the area was annexed by the city roughly a year to a year-and-a-half ago and that road studies and improvements would follow standard review processes. Councilmembers and staff noted they would consider follow-up and directed staff to work with relevant departments to identify next steps.

The residents said they have photographs and video of the damage and crash scene and asked the council to prioritize guardrail replacement, pothole repair and any structural work needed on the bridge.

Because the remarks were made during the public comment period, they do not constitute a formal council action. Councilmembers said they would relay the concerns to staff for review and follow-up.