The Newberry County Coroner’s Office along with the South Carolina Highway Patrol are investigating a motor vehicle collision that occurred on or about September 13. The call was received to 911 Communications on September 17 at approximately 6:10 pm in reference to locating vehicle down in a ravine on South Carolina Highway 121 near I-26 in Newberry County.

Coroner Laura Kneece has identified Joseph William Tesseneer, III, 53, of Batesburg as the decedent in the motor vehicle collision.

An autopsy was performed on September 19 determining Tesseneer sustained blunt force injury to the head and neck. The manner of death has been ruled an accident.

The incident remains under investigation of the Newberry County Coroner’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol.