Motorcyclist who crashed into Columbia apartment identified

The man who died after his motorcycle crashed into an apartment Thursday night in a residential area northeast of Columbia has been identified, officials say.

Justin Lamarr Sumter, 26, of Columbia, died at 11:15 p.m. at Palmetto Health Richland from injuries received in the incident, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said in a statement released Friday.

Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said Sumter crashed into the apartment located in the 5700 block of Ames Road near Cushman Drive at 10:30 p.m.

Timmons said preliminary reports suggest Sumter was traveling westbound on Cushman Road when he lost control of the motorcycle. Sumter was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Two residents were inside the apartment at the time of the collision but neither were injured, according to Timmons. The family has been placed in alternative housing for the time being.

The department’s Traffic Safety Unit is continuing to investigate.

Mindy Lucas contributed to this report.

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 10:21 AM.