The most deadly crashes in the Midlands in 2026. Here’s what to know
Fatal collisions across the Midlands region of South Carolina have claimed multiple lives since January, with crashes spanning Richland, Lexington and Aiken counties. The wrecks involved pedestrians, head-on collisions and impaired driving charges, according to state troopers and county coroners.
Here are key takeaways:
- A pedestrian fueling a disabled Lexus on Interstate 26 eastbound in Richland County was struck and killed about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, when a Ford van left the roadway, South Carolina Highway Patrol said.
- William Gunter, 42, of Columbia, fled the I-26 scene and was later involved in another collision before being arrested on charges including felony leaving the scene of a collision with death, felony DUI and simple possession of marijuana.
- Carla Garvin, 46, was killed May 1 when her 2024 Kia Sorrento was hit head-on by a 2026 Ford F-150 attempting to turn into a private driveway on Whiskey Road in Aiken, according to the Aiken County Coroner’s Office.
- Mark Bartholomew Mack, 49, of Gaston, died about 1:10 a.m. April 14 after being struck by a 2011 Toyota Sienna while walking north in the southbound lanes of U.S. 321 in Lexington County.
- Through early May 2026, 211 people had died on South Carolina roads, and at least 13 of those deaths occurred in Lexington County crashes, state Department of Public Safety data shows.
- Michael James Turner, 65, of Gilbert, died Feb. 13 when his 2018 Ford pickup crossed the center line on Calks Ferry Road, struck a 2025 Toyota pickup and hit a tree, the Highway Patrol reported.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
Javon L. Harris
The State