County Coroner Craig Newton has released information pertaining to a fatal single car crash on SC 34 near Chappells in Newberry County. According to Newton, the crash is believed to have occurred around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24 but was not discovered until shortly after 7 a.m. Christmas morning. Coroner Newton has identified the victim as Daniel Robert Britton, 53 years of age, of Chappells, S.C. Britton was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle, and died immediately after the collision. Newton has ordered an autopsy which will be performed in Newberry on Friday. The crash was discovered by Mr. Brittons' sister Thursday morning after he failed to come home from a shopping trip the night before. The accident is under investigation by the SC Highway Patrol and the Newberry Coroner's Office. Coroner Newton indicated the vehicle was found down a deep embankment and due to darkness and adverse weather conditions could not be seen by other motorists on the highway until daylight.
