Driver killed when SUV hit median on interstate in Columbia identified by coroner

One person was killed Saturday night when an SUV crashed on an interstate in Richland County, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Mary E. Fant, a 56-year-old Columbia resident died, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said Monday night.

The single-vehicle collision happened at about 6 p.m. on the westbound side of Interstate 20, said Cpl. Tyler Tidwell.

A 2006 Toyota 4Runner was driving west on I-20 when it ran off the left side of the highway near Exit 65, according to Tidwell. That’s in Columbia, and is the junction with U.S. 176/Broad River Road.

The SUV crashed into the median and flipped over, Tidwell said.

Fant died at the scene, according to Tidwell.

Tidwell said the driver was the only person in the SUV, and no other injuries were reported.

There was no word if Fant was wearing a seat belt.

Information about what caused the SUV to veer into the median was not available, but the wreck continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.

All of the westbound lanes on I-20 were temporarily blocked, and it wasn’t until after 8 p.m. until the scene was cleared, according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

Through April 9, at least 242 people have died on South Carolina roads in 2023, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,091 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

At least 13 people have died in Richland County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 67 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.

This story was originally published April 16, 2023 at 9:19 AM.

Noah Feit

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription