Two drivers killed in Richland County crashes that left five more hurt, cops say
Two people were killed Tuesday in unrelated crashes in Richland County that left five others injured, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The first multi-vehicle collision happened at about 6:20 a.m., said Master Trooper William Bennett.
A 2013 Nissan Altima was driving south on Wilson Boulevard, while a 2018 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was heading north on the same road, according to Bennett. At the intersection with Killian Road, not far from Exit 22 on I-77, the Nissan turned left and collided with the Harley-Davidson, Bennett said.
Both the Nissan driver and the Harley-Davidson rider, who were the only occupants in their vehicles, were taken to an area hospital where the motorcycle rider died, according to Bennett.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the Harley-Davidson rider.
Further information on the Nissan driver’s condition was not available.
There was no word if the Nissan driver was wearing a seatbelt or if the Harley-Davidson rider had on a helmet.
There was a second fatal crash in Columbia about 9 hours later.
At about 3:15 p.m., there was a two-vehicle collision on Decker Boulevard, Bennett said.
A 2017 Chrysler 300 was driving south on Decker Boulevard, according to Bennett. Near the intersection with Ranch Road the Chrysler collided with a 2007 Lincoln Town Car that was driving east, crossing Decker Boulevard, Bennett said.
The driver and two passengers in the Chrysler were taken to an area hospital along with the Lincoln driver and a passenger in that car, according to Bennett. The Lincoln driver later died, Bennett said.
As with the earlier wreck, the coroner’s office has not publicly identified the Lincoln driver.
Further information on the conditions of the other people involved in the crash was not available.
There was no word if anyone involved in that collision was wearing a seatbelt.
Both crashes are being investigated by the Highway Patrol.
Through Sunday, at least 261 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 21 people have died in Richland County crashes this year, and 48 people died in wrecks there in 2025, according to DPS data.
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