Driver died before crash happened on road near Lake Murray, Lexington coroner says
A man found dead after a Tuesday night crash on a road near Lake Murray died before the wreck, according to the Lexington County Coroner’s Office.
Michael Wayne Harrison was identified as the driver who died, Coroner Margaret Fisher said Wednesday.
An autopsy showed the 75-year-old Gilbert resident died immediately before the crash, as Harrison had “a natural medical event,” according to Fisher.
The two-vehicle collision happened at about 6:30 p.m. on U.S. 378, near the intersection with Shorty Road, said Master Trooper David Jones of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. That’s in a waterfront area of Lake Murray close to Southshore Marina.
A 1996 Dodge van was heading west on U.S. 378 when it hit the driver’s side of a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette that was turning left onto the road from a private driveway, according to Jones.
Harrison, who was the driver of the Corvette, died at the scene, Jones said. The crash happened less than two miles from his home.
The person driving the van and a passenger were taken to an area hospital after suffering non-life-threatening injuries, according to Fisher. Further information on their conditions was not made available.
Jones said both drivers were wearing seat belts.
No other injuries were reported by the Highway Patrol.
The wreck is being investigated by Highway Patrol.
Through Tuesday afternoon, 55 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2021, according to the Department of Public Safety.
There have been at least six people killed in Lexington County crashes this year, DPS data shows.
Overall, 1,025 people died on South Carolina roads in 2020, DPS reported.
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This story was originally published January 27, 2021 at 9:00 AM.
