Richland County coroner identifies motorcyclist killed in collision

The Richland County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a multi-vehicle crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon near Colonial Life Boulevard.

Coroner Gary Watts said 67-year-old George Howk, of Columbia, was pronounced dead at a local hospital after sustaining blunt force trauma associated with the crash.

During the height of rush hour, Howk was heading west on I-126 on a motorcycle. The vehicle immediately in front of Howk slowed due to traffic, causing the motorcyclist to slow down, too.

The vehicle immediately following the motorcycle “attempted the slow with traffic but the wheels locked up causing the front end to collide in the rear of the motorcycle” pushing motorcycle and its driver into the vehicle in front, police said in a statement.

The collision will continue to be investigated by the Columbia Police Department.