Man dies following crash in northern Greenville County

CLEVELAND, S.C. — A 57-year-old North Carolina man was killed following a crash on U.S. 276 near the intersection of Geer Highway in Cleveland around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday.

Curtis Russell Kempton, of Columbus, had trouble breathing while driving, causing his Ford F-250 to leave the roadway and strike an embankment.

Kempton was pinned inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by first responders and was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the Greenville County Coroner's Office.

Kempton's wife, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was removed from the vehicle and transported to the hospital. She suffered minor injuries and is expected to make a full recovery, the Coroner's Office said.

Both occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the wreck.

The manner of Curtis Kempton's death will be determined following an autopsy on Monday, Coroner B. Parks Evans said.