Semi catches fire after deadly wreck with SUV going wrong way on I-77, police say
An SUV going the wrong way on Interstate 77 in northeast Columbia caused a three-vehicle wreck, and a semi-truck to catch fire Saturday morning, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The driver of the SUV was going south in the northbound lanes of I-77, Trooper Nick Pye reported. The SUV driver collided with the other vehicles near mile marker 19 at about 5 a.m., which is close to the Farrow Road exit and the overpass of Hard Scrabble Road.
The SUV hit a Peterbilt semi-truck and a Nissan sedan, according to Pye. The semi ran off the right side of the road and caught fire.
The driver of the SUV died, Pye said. The drivers of the semi and the sedan were hospitalized.
Hazardous material spilled on the interstate because of the wreck, the S.C. Department of Transportation reported. Road emergency crews extinguished the fire and began to clean up the hazardous material. The material was not identified in a statement by the DOT.
The wreck caused lanes of I-77 north in the area to be closed for hours. By midday, the right lane was still closed as crews continue to mitigate the spill.
The highway patrol is investigating the collision. The Richland County Coroner’s Office may identify the victim after next-of-kin is notified of the death.
In 2020, at least 310 people have died in wrecks, including 20 in Richland County.