United States of America
U.S. Navy · United States 
Michael Joseph Rao
2002
Michael Joseph Rao served the U.S. Navy for 4 years. Michael served during the years of the Cold War and Gulf War.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
Struck by vehicle
What Happened
Senior Trooper Michael Rao succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was struck by a pickup truck while assisting a motorist on southbound I-95, near Manning, at 8:30.
The pickup truck veered off of the road, struck his patrol car and the other vehicle, before landing on Trooper Rao. Trooper Rao was flown to a local hospital where he later died of his injuries.
Trooper Rao was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for four years.
The pickup truck veered off of the road, struck his patrol car and the other vehicle, before landing on Trooper Rao. Trooper Rao was flown to a local hospital where he later died of his injuries.
Trooper Rao was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, 2-year-old daughter, parents, and sister.
Keepsakes
Also Served
South Carolina Highway Patrol
Senior Trooper
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp8aahmz4t6bh53mz9qe
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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