(Columbia-AP) July 11, 2005 - Governor Mark Sanford says the state Highway Patrol will send more troopers to Beaufort and Colleton counties as it tries to reduce accidents on a deadly stretch of US Highway 17.

Six people have died on the heavily traveled road this year. Accidents from June 23 to 25 left four dead and at least eight injured and brought renewed attention to widening the road that connects Charleston to Beaufort and Interstate 95. At least 33 people have died since 1997 along the mostly two-lane stretch of highway from northern Beaufort County through Colleton County to the bridge over the Edisto River.

The Highway Patrol says six motorcycle units that usually patrol the Upstate will be moved temporarily to the area.

Posted 8:34pm by BrettWitt