Examine the dangers of railroad crossings with 9 stories highlighting risks
South Carolina has witnessed numerous fatal train-vehicle collisions, highlighting persistent risks at railroad crossings. Across several incidents, common themes of vehicles attempting to cross active tracks and consequences emerge. In one instance, a pedestrian in Richland County died after a train hit them near Dutch Fork Road, illustrating how dangerous proximity to tracks can be. A separate crash saw a train collide with a pickup truck in downtown Columbia after the driver bypassed crossing arms, illustrating the fatal consequences of ignoring safety signals.
Another report details a train slamming into a tractor-trailer stuck on tracks in Spartanburg County, with video capturing the impact. A more severe chemical threat loomed when a train carrying hazardous materials derailed, causing a fuel spill in Columbia, though it was quickly contained by local authorities. These stories stress the importance of adhering strictly to railroad safety measures.
NO. 1: COLUMBIA MAN KILLED WHEN CAR AND TRAIN COLLIDED, RICHLAND COUNTY CORONER SAYS
The area near the train crash is temporarily closed, according to the Columbia Police Department. | Published May 19, 2022 | Read Full Story by Noah Feit
NO. 2: TRAIN DERAILS IN COLUMBIA CAUSING INJURIES AND FUEL SPILL, FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS
The train ran off the tracks and spilled debris in the area near Shop Road, according to the Columbia Fire Department. | Published July 11, 2022 | Read Full Story by Noah Feit
NO. 3: FOUR PEOPLE KILLED AFTER CAR CRASHES INTO TRAIN IN SOUTH CAROLINA, OFFICIALS SAY
The car reportedly tried to go past railroad crossing arms. | Published September 12, 2022 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper
NO. 4: ‘LIKE A BOMB.’ TRAIN SLAMS INTO TRACTOR-TRAILER NEAR BUSY GAS STATION, SC VIDEO SHOWS
“It could have been way, way worse.” | Published April 4, 2023 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper
NO. 5: FREIGHT TRAIN COLLIDES WITH CAR, SC MAN KILLED. QUESTIONS ABOUT CRASH REMAIN UNANSWERED
A deadly car-train collision has sparked questions in South Carolina’s lowcountry | Published January 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sammy Fretwell
NO. 6: PEDESTRIAN HIT AND KILLED BY TRAIN IN SOUTH CAROLINA, RICHLAND COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY
There was no word on when the tracks would be cleared and traffic in the area would return to normal. | Published May 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Noah Feit
NO. 7: SOUTH CAROLINA MAN IDENTIFIED AS TRUCK DRIVER KILLED IN TRAIN CRASH, OFFICIALS SAY
One person died in the wreck, according to the Columbia Police Department. | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Noah Feit
NO. 8: HERE ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS IN RICHLAND COUNTY
The five most dangerous intersections in Richland County are all located near the three interstates that criss-cross the county, according to data reported by the state Department of Public Safety. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Javon L. Harris
NO. 9: TRAIN CRASHES INTO TRUCK IN SOUTH CAROLINA, LEAVING ONE PERSON DEAD, COPS SAY
One person was killed Monday when a pickup truck and train were involved in a crash, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. | Published September 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Noah Feit
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.