Fatal traffic collision confirmed in Richland County as Irma impacts Midlands

A fatal incident was reported at 3:20 p.m. on I-77 southbound, near Exit 6A.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts confirmed there was a fatality at 4 p.m. as he was on his way to the scene, later reaffirmed by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

It was a two-vehicle collision, according to Capt. Brick Lewis of the Columbia Fire Department. The incident at the 5 mile marker, near Shop Road, left one of the vehicles upside down with one person entrapped.

A 2015 Ford Mustang collided with a 2017 Lexus SUV, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Both drivers were wearing seat belts, but the driver of the Mustang was entrapped and died at the scene.

Lewis wasn’t aware of any other injuries caused by the incident, but said CFD will remain on the scene to assist with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, which continues to investigate the fatal collision.

Two left southbound lanes of I-77 were temporarily closed at the site of the incident.

This is on ongoing story, check back for updates.

This story was originally published September 11, 2017 at 4:20 PM.