Pedestrian Killed in Tragic Crash on Interstate 20 in Columbia, South Carolina (SC)

COLUMBIA, SC- Wistv.com writes that a pedestrian died in a tragic collision when two vehicles struck him on Interstate 20 this week. The collision occurred near Clemson Road in the later evening.*

A driver traveling westbound struck the man, and then came to a stop. Another vehicle then struck the man, and that driver fled the scene. Investigators have not yet identified the second car involved. 

When responders arrived, they found the victim on the road and stated that he was unresponsive. The cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma. The identity of the victim has not been released.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) writes that pedestrians are dying by the thousands each year in the United States. In 2018, 6,283 fatalities took place, indicating an increase of three percent compared to the prior year. The number of pedestrian crash victims that year was the highest reported since 1990. 

When it comes to walking near and on roads, people are at a disadvantage because they share space with cars and other larger vehicles. It is important for those traveling on foot to follow traffic laws and to remain predictable. When walking in locations without a sidewalk, drivers should walk as far from the flow of traffic as possible. Crossing the street at crosswalks will avoid the risk of entering the road where a driver does not anticipate pedestrian traffic. 

People wearing bright colors and reflective gear increase the chances that motorists will see them. 

There is only so much pedestrians can do to improve their own safety. Drivers must be on the lookout for pedestrians as well, and should always follow the speed limit. Motorists should also slow down whenever they are close to schools and playgrounds. 

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or a family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Sources:

https://www.wistv.com/2020/07/30/pedestrian-killed-crash-i-clemson-road/

https://wach.com/news/local/police-pedestrian-killed-during-collision-on-interstate-20

https://www.abccolumbia.com/2020/07/29/pedestrian-killed-in-accident-near-i-20-clemson-rd/

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety