Driver killed in Richland County crash with tree identified by coroner
One person was killed in an early-morning crash in Richland County, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Mecca S. Windsor, a 29-year-old Sumter resident, is the driver who died, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said Wednesday morning.
The single-vehicle collision happened Tuesday at about 3 a.m., said Cpl. David Jones.
A 2013 Hyundai four-door vehicle was driving south on U.S. 601 when it ran off the left side of the road near the intersection with Governor Heyward Road, according to Jones. That’s in the area between Fort Jackson and McEntire Joint National Guard Base.
The vehicle crashed into a tree and Windsor died at the scene, Jones said.
There was no word if Windsor was wearing a seat belt.
No other injuries were reported.
Information about what caused the Hyundai to run off the road was not available, but the crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol.
Through Monday, five people had died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,061 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
This was at least the third deadly crash in Richland County in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 64 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.
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 January 11, 2023 at 8:27 AM.