4 from New York area killed in South Carolina crash while traveling for Christmas

SHILOH, S.C. (WABC) -- Three people from Brooklyn and one from New Jersey were killed in an early-morning crash in Sumter County, South Carolina.

The group was heading to Florida to visit family for Christmas.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol says three others were hurt after an SUV ran off Interstate 95.

Troopers said the wreck happened around 6:15 a.m. Tuesday in the southbound lanes of I-95 near exit 141.

Troopers say the driver of the SUV ran off the left side of the highway and ran into a guardrail before hitting a tree.

Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock says the driver, Juan Escoboza Sr. of Brooklyn, New York, died, along with three passengers in the middle set of seats - Maria Tapia of Brooklyn; Clarabel Montero of Augusta, New Jersey; and Luis Alberto Tapia of Brooklyn.

Among the injured was Escoboza's wife who broke her hand.

A special Highway Patrol team is investigating to determine the cause of the wreck.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)