Columbia man killed after crashing car into trees, Richland County Coroner says
The Columbia man who was killed after cashing his car into two trees was identified by the Richland County Coroner’s Office Monday.
Shawn Francis Oleary died after Saturday’s single-vehicle collision, Coroner Gary Watts said in a news release.
The 68-year-old died at the scene after suffering blunt trauma to the body, Watts said after performing an autopsy.
The crash happened at about 6 p.m. on Koon Store Road, near the intersection with William Duffie Road, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol. Koon Store Road runs in between Wilson Boulevard (U.S. 21) and Winnsboro Road (U.S. 321).
A 1995 Honda was heading west on Koon Store Road when it ran off the right side of the road and smashed into the trees, Lance Cpl. Matt Southern said.
Oleary was not wearing a seat belt, according to Southern.
No other injuries were reported.
Information on what led up to car running off the road was not available, but the collision is still under investigation by Highway Patrol and the coroner’s office.
This was the first of two deadly crashes on Midlands roads Saturday night. The driver of a 1998 Toyota Camry was not wearing a seat belt when killed in a wreck on Boiling Springs Road in Lexington around 10 p.m., Southern said.
A month into 2020, 53 people have died on South Carolina roads, according to the Department of Public Safety. Of those deaths, 40 of the victims had access to seat belts, and 26 were not wearing safety restraints, DPS said.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published February 3, 2020 at 12:18 PM.
