Autopsy Planned for Today for Lavonia Man Killed Saturday on I-85

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

An autopsy is planned for today on the body of a Lavonia man who was struck and killed early Saturday morning on Interstate 85.

It happened at about 4 a.m. Saturday, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol..

Oconee County, South Carolina Coroner Carl Addis said that 25-year old David Michael Rogers’ body was found in the northbound lane of I-85 near the South Carolina Welcome Center.

Addis said Rogers’ body was discovered by an Oconee County Sheriff’s Office deputy shortly after 10:00 a.m. Saturday after a passerby had reported seeing either a human body or animal carcass lying adjacent to the northbound lanes of traffic near the South Carolina Welcome Center.

He added that Rogers’ vehicle was discovered on the shoulder of the southbound side of the Interstate across from the Welcome Center.

According to Addis, information inside the vehicle, along with on-file fingerprints obtained from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, helped identify Rogers by comparing the fingerprints taken from his body to those on file in Georgia.

Rogers, who was originally from Carollton, Georgia, was employed as an electrician with a company in Lavonia.

Authorities said he lived about nine miles from the where the accident took place.

They said they do not know why he was in South Carolina.

Addis said Rogers died of blunt force trauma and South Carolina authorities believe he was struck either by an 18-wheel tractor trailer or several vehicles.

However, Addis said the vehicle that struck Rogers has not been identified.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate.

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact the South Carolina Highway Patrol or the Oconee County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office at 864-638-4111.