South Carolina man killed in crash on major highway in the Midlands, coroner says
A South Carolina man was killed Friday in an early morning collision on a major Midlands highway , officials said.
Felix Jose Zayas Hernandez, a 45-year-old Fort Mill resident, died in the accident, Fairfield County Coroner Chris Hill said.
The collision happened at about 12:45 a.m. near mile marker 47 on Interstate 77 south, according to Master Trooper Brandon Bolt of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Hernandez was walking north on in the road on I-77 south when he was hit by a 2023 Ford SUV that was driving south, Bolt said.
The SUV driver stayed at the scene and fully cooperated with officials, according to Hill.
Bolt said neither the driver nor a passenger in the SUV were hurt, and no other injuries were reported.
There was no word if the occupants of the SUV were wearing seat belts.
Information about why Hernandez was walking on I-77, or where he was going, was not available, but the crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol and coroner’s office.
An autopsy will be scheduled with Newberry Pathology to determine the exact cause of death, according to Hill.
Through Wednesday, 231 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 999 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.
At least six people have died in Fairfield County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were 15 deaths reported in the county in 2023, 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 April 14, 2024 at 9:48 AM.
