Wrong-way driver caused fatal morning crash on I-20, troopers say

The fatal crash that snarled morning traffic on Interstate 20 near Columbia on Monday was caused by a wrong-way driver, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

The crash happened around 3:30 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of I-20 at mile marker 63, which is the Bush River Road exit, according to Lance Cpl. David Jones of the Highway Patrol. A 2015 Nissan car was traveling west in the eastbound lanes when it crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer.

The driver of the Nissan was identified as 38-year-old Jamie Elliott Watson of Lexington, according to Lexington Coroner Margaret Fisher. Watson was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He died at the scene from head trauma.

There was no word on injuries to the truck driver.

Traffic was backed up on eastbound I-20 for several hours. Lexington police temporarily closed the on-ramp to I-20 east from Sunset Boulevard.

All lanes of the interstate have reopened.

This crash happened about eight hours after another Lexington man was killed when his car crashed into a tree on nearby Berryhill Road around 7:20 p.m. Sunday.

Check back for updates.

This story was originally published May 22, 2017 at 8:08 AM with the headline "Wrong-way driver caused fatal morning crash on I-20, troopers say."