Medal of Honor recipient involved in hit-and-run investigation

Lexington County war hero and University of South Carolina student Kyle Carpenter is being investigated for hit-and-run by Columbia police.

The incident happened in early December. Carpenter is alleged to have struck someone with his vehicle, then left the scene after stopping to ensure the crash victim was OK.

“It’s my understanding he has been interviewed,” Capt. George Drafts with the Columbia Police Department said Wednesday. “He is cooperating with the investigation at this point.”

The location of the incident, as well as any specific charges being considered, was not immediately available.

Carpenter received the Medal of Honor in 2014 for a “singular act of courage” in Afghanistan in 2010. Carpenter saved a fellow Marine from a grenade lobbed by a Taliban fighter, taking most of the damage himself. He lost his right eye and most of his teeth. His jaw and right arm were shattered, and he has undergone dozens of surgeries. He spent five weeks in a coma, then two years in the hospital for rehabilitation.

He is the youngest living recipient of the award. He is pursuing an undergraduate degree at USC.

This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 3:45 PM with the headline "Medal of Honor recipient involved in hit-and-run investigation."