NC man killed in wrong-way crash near Columbia, SC, early Saturday morning

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that took place early Saturday on Garners Ferry Road.

A 23-year-old man from Goldsboro, N.C., was killed when his car was hit by a driver going the wrong way on the highway in Richland County at about 4 a.m., according to a statement from Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Everardo Galarza Jr., whose name was provided by a family member, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Joshua Collins’ 2013 Ford Sedan was traveling eastbound in the highway’s westbound lane near Garners Ferry Way, approximately 20 miles east of Columbia, when it struck the other car head on, said Ridgeway.

Collins was transported to Prisma Health Richland Hospital by emergency medical services.

This is a breaking story. Check back here for more updates.

This story was originally published July 23, 2022 at 12:54 PM.

Ted Clifford

The State

803-771-8315

Ted Clifford is the statewide accountability reporter at The State Newspaper. Formerly the crime and courts reporter, he has covered the Murdaugh saga, state and federal court, as well as criminal justice and public safety in the Midlands and across South Carolina. He is the recipient of the 2023 award for best beat reporting by the South Carolina Press Association.