Columbia man killed in Berkeley County crash

A crash in Berkeley County left two dead on Christmas Day.

A BMW was traveling on Cainhoy Road when it went off the left side of the road about 6 p.m., striking a power pole and tree, according to Berkeley County Coroner Bill Salisbury.

The driver, Marshevis Ellington, 41, of Columbia, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Also killed in the wreck was a passenger, Joseph Simmons, 50, of Huger.

Simmons was trapped in the wreckage and was extricated by the fire department, according to the coroner. A third person in the car was transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Speed was a factor in the crash, and the car’s occupants were not wearing seat belts, according to Salisbury.

The coroner and S.C. Highway Patrol investigated the crash.

This story was originally published December 26, 2015 at 12:07 PM.