Florence coach who fell into Lake Marion after accident died of multiple trauma

Autopsy results show Michelle Hickson died of multiple trauma after she fell into Lake Marion in Clarendon County Sunday night following a wreck on I-95, according to Clarendon County Deputy Coroner Bucky Mock.

Hickson, 38, was found dead in Lake Marion on Monday afternoon, according to Clarendon County Deputy Coroner Bucky Mock.

Brock said Hickson's car broke down Sunday evening on the bridge over Lake Marion, and that's when she was struck by a car. He said dive teams searched Lake Marion throughout the night and divers recovered her body Monday afternoon.

According to reports by the Associated Press, Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins said a vehicle crashed into the guardrail and a few minutes later, another vehicle struck the woman's already wrecked car.

Deputy Coroner Mock said Hickson was somehow knocked into the lake.

Hickson was the girls volleyball and JV girls basketball coach at South Florence High School, according to Pam McDaniel with Florence School District One.

McDaniel said grief counselors are expected to meet with the volleyball and basketball teams Tuesday afternoon.

South Florence High School JV games have been cancelled this week in memory of Hickson.

Hickson's best friend and fellow Angel Briggs said she's just devastated.

"Yesterday was shocking. Today as well with me. We feel the pain. We feel the loss . We feel the grief. She will be missed," said Briggs.

Briggs said Hickson was a devout Christian who loved her family and South Florence High School.

"South Florence was also her second love too as well. The kids meant so very much to her. Every child that she coached. Every child that she was just an acquaintance with . Regardless of if you were on the team or not on the team. She always spoke to you. She always greeted you with a smile. She was just a people's person and she will be missed," said Briggs.

Grief counselors met with the South Florence High School volleyball and basketball teams Tuesday afternoon over the death of their beloved coach, according to Florence School District One Public Information Officer Pam Little McDaniel.

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This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Florence coach who fell into Lake Marion after accident died of multiple trauma."