Motorcycle rider crashed into deer then run over by another vehicle, SC cops say
A motorcycle rider was killed late Wednesday night in a series of crashes that involved a deer and another vehicle, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The two-vehicle collision happened at about 10:10 p.m. in Saluda County, Master Trooper William Bennett said Thursday in a release.
A 2000 Suzuki motorcycle was driving west on US 378/Columbia Highway, according to Bennett. Near the intersection with Roseland Drive the motorcycle crashed into a deer, Bennett said.
The driver, who was the only person on the motorcycle, was in the road after hitting the deer, according to Bennett. Then an unknown vehicle ran over the motorcycle rider before driving away, Bennett said.
The motorcycle rider died at the scene, according to Bennett.
It was not clear if the motorcycle rider, who has not been publicly identified by the Saluda County Coroner’s Office, was killed upon hitting the deer, or if the second collision was the fatal blow.
No other injuries were reported.
There was no word if the motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet, or if the deer was killed, but the crashes are being investigated by the Highway Patrol.
Anyone with information about the collision, or the vehicle and driver involved, is asked to call the Highway Patrol at 803-896-9621 or 800-768-1503, CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip. Tips can also be texted to *HP.
In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
Through Sunday, 230 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2026, according to the state Department of Public Safety. A minimum of 914 people were killed in collisions in South Carolina in 2025, DPS data shows.
At least two people have died in Saluda County crashes this year, and four people died in wrecks there in 2025, according to DPS data.
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