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Funds being raised for truck driver burned on I-26

TRYON—There is a Go Fund Me page set up for the trucker who wrecked on I-26 Oct. 21 and was severely burned. 

The driver, Charlie Culbreth, is a lifelong resident of Polk County and currently resides in Tryon. He is currently at the August Burn Center in the ICU and is in critical condition. 

He is a U.S. Navy veteran. 

He has a wife, Sally, and 2 daughters, Hannah, age 4, and Eve, age 18 months. 

Culbreth was driving a tanker truck on Oct. 21 West on I-26 near Saluda when the truck overturned and spilled gas, caught on fire and exploded. He suffered severe 3rd degree burns to more than 40 percent of his body, mainly to his face, head, back, arms and hands, according to Sally. 

Culbreth has had several surgeries over the past 3 weeks and will require many more as well as physical therapy. 

Sally said doctors have indicated he can make a full recovery in time. 

His wife is commuting from here to Augusta every week as well as caring for her children at home. 

“It is perhaps our children who are suffering the most, besides their daddy, because they don’t understand why he can’t come home; why he isn’t there to play with them and kiss them goodnight,” Sally said. “I am a stay-at-home mom, so the stress of worrying about making ends meet as well as Charlie’s recovery sometimes feels very overwhelming. I am trying to be strong for my kids and find the silver linings of this very dark cloud. He is alive, miraculously, and he is healing slowly but surely. 

We are grateful to the many people who have offered their love and support and have contributed to his Go Fund Me.”

Sally said she is unsure how long her husband will remain in the hospital and rehabilitation or when he will be able to return to work. 

To contribute to Charlie’s fundraiser, people can visit 

Charlie Culbreth Fuel Tanker Fire Accident on I-26, organized by Lindsay M.