CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. A pedestrian was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on Interstate 26 in South Carolina on Saturday night. The fatal collision occurred around 7:52 PM on the westbound side of I-26, approximately one mile from the U.S. Highway 78 exit, according to Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The victim, who has not yet been identified pending notification of next of kin, was hit by an unknown vehicle that fled the scene after the impact. The pedestrian died at the site of the crash.
Authorities have not yet released a description of the suspect vehicle involved in the hit-and-run. The westbound lanes of I-26 were shut down for a period on Saturday night as investigators examined the scene.
Officials urge anyone with information about this deadly hit-and-run to contact the South Carolina Highway Patrol at 843-953-6000 or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111. The search continues for the driver responsible for this fatal collision.
The Hartman Law Firm, LLC is very sorry to the loved ones who lost someone. If you have been the victim of a car accident or a wrongful death, please call for a free 20-minute consultation.
Charleston Hit-and-Run Crash Information
Seeking fair compensation after a hit-and-run can be more complicated, so it’s important to know your rights. Whether you were walking, bicycling or in a motor vehicle when you were hit by someone who left the scene, you should talk to an experienced Charleston hit-and-run accident lawyer right away.
Can I Collect Damages Even if a Hit-and-Run Driver Is Never Found?
If a hit-and-run driver is not identified, you may be entitled to collect compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage. That’s true even if you were a pedestrian or bicyclist rather than driving your car at the time of the accident. But you shouldn’t assume the path to fair compensation will be easier just because you’re dealing with your own auto insurance carrier. Talk to a local car accident lawyer before you make any decisions.
How Do I Prove Liability in a Hit-and-Run Accident?
The same types of evidence may be available in a hit-and-run collision as in any other type of car accident. For example, there may be witnesses who can describe what happened, or there may be video of the crash captured by a security camera or traffic cam. Your attorney may also work with an expert to reconstruct the accident. The sooner your attorney can get started collecting evidence, the better–some evidence may be lost or destroyed over time, and witness memories may fade.