70-year-old bicyclist dies after being struck by car

Officials reported an elderly bicyclist collided with a motor vehicle in Gadsden Tuesday night and died from his injuries.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said Hillard Smith, 70, of Gadsden said he was operating a bicycle in the roadway on the 2400 block of Congaree Road around 11:50 p.m. when a motor vehicle struck him, according to a news release from Watts’ office.

Smith was about two miles from his home on Willie Mae Garrick Road when the incident occurred.

An autopsy performed Wednesday morning indicated Smith died from blunt force injuries to the head and chest.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate this case.