Motorcycle rider dies after being hit by car in Lexington County, trooper says
A motorcycle rider was killed in a crash near Lake Murray in Lexington County on Friday afternoon, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Russell J. Harris died in the accident, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said Saturday. The 51-year-old Batesburg resident died at the scene, according to Fisher.
The wreck happened at about 5 p.m. on U.S. 378 near near the intersection with Lewie Road. That’s about 8 miles from the town of Gilbert.
The driver of a sedan was turning from Lewie Road onto U.S. 378 and struck the motorcycle, Trooper Nick Pye said.
The driver of the car was not hurt, and no other injuries were reported, Pye said. The driver remained at the scene, according to Fisher.
Harris was not wearing a helmet, according to Fisher.
The Highway Patrol continues to investigate the collision.
At least 258 people have died in crashes in South Carolina in 2022, including 29 motorcyclists and nine motorists in Lexington County, according to the Department of Public Safety.
This was the third fatal motorcycle crash in Lexington County this year, and second in less than a week.
Jonathan Wayne Quesinberry Sr., 54, died the day after crashing a 2013 Harley-Davidson on Beechwoods Drive on April 10, officials said.
In 2021, 159 motorcycle riders were among the 1,192 people who had died on South Carolina roads, according to DPS. Five of last year’s 57 deadly crashes in Lexington County involved a motorcycle, DPS data shows.
This story was originally published April 16, 2022 at 12:42 PM.
