Columbia man killed in crash on busy road identified by Richland County coroner
One person is dead following an overnight crash on a busy Richland County road, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Michael Cornelius, a 60-year-old Columbia resident, is the pedestrian killed in the crash, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said Thursday.
The collision happened at about 9 p.m. Wednesday on Two Notch Road in Columbia, said Trooper Nick Pye.
Cornelius was walking across Two Notch Road, near the intersection with Baldwin Road, according to Pye. An unknown vehicle was driving north when it hit and killed the pedestrian, Pye said.
There was no word if this was considered a hit-and-run crash, or if the driver stopped to offer aid or reported the collision.
Information if Cornelius died at the scene, or was taken to an area hospital, was not available.
No other injuries were reported in the crash that continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.
Through Tuesday, 310 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2022 — and 49 were pedestrians — according to the Department of Public Safety. In 2021, 192 pedestrians were among the 1,192 people who died on South Carolina roads, DPS said.
At least 21 people have died in Richland County crashes in 2022, and this is the sixth involving a pedestrian, DPS reported. Last year, 73 deaths were reported there, and 18 involved a pedestrian, according to DPS data.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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 May 5, 2022 at 7:43 AM.
