A significant insurance dispute is unfolding in South Carolina, where Selective Insurance is seeking relief from liability in a tragic accident involving a company officer’s vehicle. The case centers on a fatal crash that occurred on October 19, 2024, in Lexington County, involving a truck driven by Christopher Bryan Edwards, the chief operating officer of Utility Service Contractors, Inc. (USC).
On August 4, 2025, Selective Insurance Company of America filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. The company is asking the court to rule that it is not required to defend or indemnify USC or Edwards in connection with the accident. Instead, Selective argues that State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company should be the primary insurer responsible for the incident.
The accident took place on Route 6, South Lake Drive, when Edwards, driving a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500, collided head-on with a vehicle operated by Virginia Burtle. Tragically, Burtle lost her life, and her two young children, who were passengers, sustained injuries. Selective’s complaint claims that Edwards was not acting within his job duties at USC during the incident, which could affect insurance coverage.
Selective contends that it has no obligation to cover claims related to this accident, citing that USC failed to notify them of the incident until April 3, 2025—over five months after it happened. This delay occurred despite multiple chances to report the accident. By the time Selective was informed, lawsuits were already filed against Edwards and USC.
The complaint notes that following a minor accident in September 2024, Edwards was told by USC that he could no longer drive company vehicles and needed to use his own. Subsequently, USC sold the Dodge Ram to Edwards, who then secured a State Farm policy for the vehicle. This change in ownership and insurance coverage is central to the current dispute.
Selective’s policy, effective from March 1, 2024, requires prompt reporting of accidents and cooperation with the insurer during the claims process. Selective argues that USC’s failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a serious breach of the policy, hindering their ability to investigate the accident and defend against the lawsuits.
Furthermore, Selective claims that the State Farm policy held by Edwards is the primary coverage for the accident, as the vehicle was registered under his name at the time. The company asserts that State Farm has not met its duty to defend USC, even though it has provided a defense for Edwards.
In its complaint, Selective seeks a court declaration confirming it is not liable for the accident and that any coverage would be limited. The case underscores the critical importance of timely communication with insurers and adherence to policy conditions.
As of now, no court rulings have been made regarding the claims presented in Selective’s complaint. The situation continues to develop, and the outcome could have significant implications for the parties involved.