Motorcyclist in Tuesday afternoon I-126 rush hour collision dies

Shortly before 5pm Tuesday, a motorcyclist was killed on I-126 at Colonial Life Boulevard in a 3-vehicle collision, Columbia police reported late Tuesday night.

During the height of rushhour, the motorcyclist was heading west on I-126. The vehicle immediately in front of the motorcycle slowed due to traffic, causing the motorcyclist to slow down, too.

The vehicle immediately following the motorcycle “attempted the slow with traffic but the wheels locked up causing the front end to collide in the rear of the motorcycle” pushing motorcycle and its driver into the vehicle in front, police said in a statement.

The motorcycle driver, who has not been identified, was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

The accident is being investigated by the Richland County Coroner’s office and Columbia Police Department.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 12:48 AM.