Investigators release name of man who struck Columbia officer on I-126

Officials have released the name of the driver who struck a Columbia police officer on Interstate 126 on Tuesday evening.

James Bigby, 28, of Columbia, struck police officer Pete Conklin while Conklin was out of his vehicle assisting an investigation on I-126, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Conklin was seriously injured and underwent surgery after the collision, according to Jennifer Timmons, spokeswoman for the Columbia Police Department. The most serious wounds were to the officer’s arms, Timmons said. As of Tuesday night, he was recovering in the intensive care unit.

Columbia police were responding to a collision and a separate disabled motorist incident when Conklin was struck, Timmons said.

Conklin has been with the police department five years.

Highway Patrol continues to investigate.

This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 9:25 AM.