Bluffton community rallies around family after Colleton Co. crash

BLUFFTON, S.C. — The Bluffton community is rallying around one of its own after a crash late last week left Kiernan Hughes seriously injured.

Hughes, a Bluffton native known for epoxy floor coating work across the Lowcountry, was hurt in a crash Thursday while traveling home from a job in the Charleston area, according to his family.

He was taken from the scene to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, where he remains hospitalized.

A brother’s search for answers

Hughes’ brother, Evan Ventrice, said he realized something was wrong when Kiernan didn’t appear to be moving on his route home.

After about an hour of checking the location, Ventrice said he then began driving toward the area and contacted Colleton County non-emergency dispatch, then received a call confirming Hughes was being rushed to MUSC.

Serious injuries and a long road ahead

Doctors have been most concerned about Hughes’ brain, Ventrice said.

Hughes suffered significant injuries across his body and, in an effort to protect his brain, Ventrice said doctors amputated Hughes’ left arm.

“If that’s the price to pay for him to recover to a full person — as far as normal function, cognitive, memories, loving, laughing, and ‘normal life’ — that’s what it’ll be,” Ventrice said.

Ventrice said Hughes has been in a coma, but doctors have indicated he may be able to wake up in the coming days.

“He’s a warrior, he’s a fighter, and he’s someone that when he puts his mind to something, he doesn’t give up regardless of anyone that says anything otherwise,” Ventrice said.

Community support: donations and silent auction

As Hughes continues to recover, friends and family have organized fundraising efforts to help with medical bills and other expenses.

“When this happened, we just knew we had to step in, knowing that regardless of any insurance that may kick in, you’ve still got bills outside of anything else,” family friend Shannon Loper said.

Organizers say donations are being collected through GoFundMe and Venmo.

A silent auction is also planned for Friday night from 5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m., with more than $20,000 worth of items expected to be available.

“This family needs us, and we want to make sure this family knows that they are covered in love,” Loper said.

Loper, who is helping organize the silent auction, said the community response has been immediate.

“I knew all it was going to take was a few phone calls, a couple of flyers, a couple of shares on Facebook, and the Bluffton/Hilton Head community was going to come together, and that’s exactly what they have done,” Loper said.

Event details

Organizers say the silent auction for Hughes will take place at the Bluffton Oyster Factory during the monthly Sunset Party, which is hosted by a local group.

Whatever is not sold during the silent auction will be posted online for people to bid on.

At the event, there will also be a cash jar for donations and raffles that people can enter.