South Carolina DL coach Travian Robertson files lawsuit in wake of car crash
South Carolina football defensive line coach Travian Robertson and his wife, Kettiany, have filed a lawsuit against the estate of the woman who initiated the early-morning head-on collision that injured him last month.
The civil lawsuit argues the Robertsons are entitled to money from the woman’s estate for “actual and punitive damages” for “physical injury, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, loss of consortium, property damage, and other matters” in an amount to be determined by a jury. The lawsuit was filed in Richland County.
Just before 6 a.m. Aug. 22, Kelly Marie Johnson, a 35-year-old Columbia resident, was driving a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder west on U.S. 76/Dutch Fork Road, near the Chapin area of Richland County, when she drifted over the center line and collided with a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Robertson, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Johnson died at the scene. Robertson was transported to the trauma ICU at Prisma Health Richland hospital, where he stayed for 10 days. He was released from the hospital on Sept. 5. Robertson “sustained severe and life-changing injuries so far requiring a total of five surgeries,” a statement from his attorney said.
The lawsuit, which was filed by Shea Brighthop of Cavanaugh & Thickens LLC on Aug. 28, said Johnson “consumed various alcoholic beverages at an unknown location(s) to and beyond the point of intoxication on or about August 22, 2025.”
WIS reported that a SC Highway Patrol incident report characterized Johnson as “under the influence.”
The lawsuit alleges that Johnson’s “reckless” action has “caused injuries to Plaintiff Travian Robertson which resulted in the loss of services, company, society, cooperation, affection, and companionship” for the Robertsons.
“Kettiany, our three boys, and I sincerely appreciate the outpouring of prayers and support we have received from the community in the weeks since my accident,” Robertson said in a statement provided by his attorney.
“It has been and will continue to be a journey, but I am grateful to God my life was spared,” Robertson said. “My current focus is on recovery and rehabilitation so I can get back to being the husband, father and coach I am called to be.”
Robertson, who played on the defensive line for the Gamecocks from 2007-11, has been South Carolina’s D-line coach since 2023. Robertson has yet to fully resume his coaching duties since the crash. But he did post a picture on Wednesday afternoon of him, in a wheelchair, watching South Carolina’s practice from a balcony with a headset on.
Last week, Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer said Robertson, 36, has participated virtually in gameplanning with the rest of South Carolina’s coaching staff. Last Thursday, Kettiany Robertson drove her husband to the Gamecocks’ practice facility to catch up with players and coaches outside.
“We’re in communication with him and talking regularly,” Beamer said. “He’s getting better every day.”
Added USC defensive coordinator Clayton White: “It’s definitely been awesome to hear his voice, to see him on FaceTime. ... We definitely miss him.”
This story was originally published September 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM.
