18-year-old identified as driver killed in Irmo crash that injured 2 others

An 18-year-old died and two other people were injured in a two-car crash near Irmo Sunday afternoon, according to officials.

The deadly crash happened around 5:45 p.m. on S.C. 6, about a half-mile north of Irmo, according to Cpl. Sonny Collins of the Highway Patrol.

A Honda sedan was traveling west on S.C. 6 when it hit an eastbound Toyota SUV, which had turned in front of the Honda to enter a private driveway, Collins said.

The driver of the Honda, who was not wearing a seat belt, was killed, Collins said. A passenger in the Honda and the driver of the Toyota both were taken to a local hospital. The extent of their injuries was not available.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts identified the Honda driver as 18-year-old James M. Gladish, of Kingston Forest Drive in Irmo.

An autopsy determined Gladish died at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries to the head and body, Watts said.

This was Richland County’s second deadly crash Sunday. A 46-year-old Columbia man died Sunday morning when his car crashed near Rosewood Drive while he tried to flee Columbia police officers, troopers said.

Both crashes remain under investigation by the Highway Patrol.

This story was originally published July 15, 2019 at 7:32 AM.