Search for hit-and-run driver after Columbia woman dies in crash, SC officials say
A funeral will be held Thursday for a Columbia woman who recently died after being involved in two collisions on Interstate 20.
Jessica Howell, 33, was killed Saturday in the crashes near the 75 mile marker on I-20, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said. That’s in Columbia, near Exit 76, which is the junction Interstate 77.
At about 1:30 a.m., Howell was driving a 2005 Honda Civic that ran off the right side of I-20 and crashed into a guard rail, according to Cpl. Matt Southern of South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Howell was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the Honda before landing in the westbound lanes of I-20, Southern said.
An unknown vehicle hit Howell and drove away.
No other injuries were reported.
Information on what caused the Honda to veer off the road was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol and the coroner’s office.
Howell was a Walterboro native, and a funeral will be held in the Lowcountry at the Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory at 2 p.m.
Howell lived in Columbia, where she worked as a server, according to her obituary.
“Jessica possessed a huge heart with a special love for children and an even greater love for animals,” according to her obituary. “She would always do for others and help anyone that she could.”
Through Wednesday afternoon, 946 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2021, state Department of Public Safety data shows. Of those, 629 of the victims had access to seat belts, but 307 were not wearing them, DPS reported.
At least 54 people have been killed in Richland County crashes in 2021, and 33 of them were not wearing seat belts, DPS reported.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 8:30 AM.
