Tax

Two killed

in I-95 wreck

COLUMBIA — A Columbia woman and her teenage son were killed after their sports utility vehicle veered off Interstate 95 in Hampton County and struck several trees, the South Carolina Highway Patrol says.

Driver Angela Lynn Plyler, 37, and Justin Plyler, 14, who was in the front passenger seat, died Saturday, said patrol spokesman Bryan McDougald. The left rear tire of their 1999 Ford Explorer blew out before the vehicle left the roadway.

Two other children, Hannah Plyler, 8, and Lania Plyler, 12, were taken to hospitals.

An accident reconstruction team has been called in to investigate.

Company awarded

vaccine contract

FLORENCE — A $58 million Defense Department contract has been awarded to Roche Laboratories to produce Tamiflu capsules, which fight flu symptoms and help protect against avian influenza.

Health officials have been concerned about the possibility of an outbreak of avian flu, and the Department of Defense is ordering Tamiflu capsules to protect military personnel. The final active ingredient of Tamiflu is made in Florence.

‘‘At the moment, we’re the only site in the U.S. registered with the FDA to manufacture the final active ingredient in Tamiflu,’’ said Dr. Frank Cox, vice president and general manager for Roche Carolina.

Tamiflu is approved for the treatment and prevention of influenza. While it’s not indicated specifically for protection against avian flu, experts, including the World Health Organization, say that Tamiflu could play a critical role in managing an outbreak.