One motorcycle rider killed, another hurt in crash on Midlands road, SC cops say
One person was killed and another injured Saturday when a motorcycle was involved in a hit-and-run crash on a Midlands road, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The two-vehicle collision happened at about 6 p.m. on S.C. 34 in Lee County, said Master Trooper Brandon Bolt. That’s near Bishopville and Exit 16 on Interstate 20.
The Highway Patrol has not released details about the wreck, but Bolt said a passenger on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle died.
The Lee County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the motorcycle passenger.
The person driving the Harley-Davidson was hurt and taken to an area hospital, according to Bolt. Further information on the motorcycle driver’s condition was not available.
There was no word if either the motorcycle passenger or driver wore a helmet.
No other injuries were reported.
Police have not provided a description of the vehicle that drove away from the crash with the motorcycle, but the hit-and-run continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Highway Patrol at 864-241-1000 or 800-768-1503, or report it to CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
Through Oct. 30, at least 841 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2022, including 124 motorcycle riders, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,194 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least eight people have died in Lee County crashes in 2022, and this is the second involving a motorcycle, DPS reported. Last year, six deaths were reported there, according to DPS data.
“Motorcycles are everywhere but they are small, easily obscured by other vehicles and roadside structures, and sometimes hard to see,” the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office recently said while promoting motorcycle safety. “Automobile drivers should watch closely for motorcycles in all directions at intersections. Avoid turns — especially left-hand turns across oncoming traffic — on yellow lights in case an approaching motorcycle is coming through the intersection.”
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This story was originally published November 6, 2022 at 8:56 AM.
