News Summary
A tragic series of incidents on Interstate 77 has resulted in the death of a pedestrian and multiple student injuries after a school bus crash. The first incident involved a tractor trailer striking a pedestrian, followed by a school bus from Pine Ridge Middle School overturning due to a tire blowout. Emergency services responded quickly to both events, and a reunification site was established for affected families. Community leaders and officials have expressed their condolences as investigations continue into these heartbreaking events.
Columbia, South Carolina – A tragic series of incidents on Interstate 77 (I-77) has left one pedestrian dead and multiple students injured following a school bus crash. The two events occurred just a day apart, with the pedestrian fatality reported during the early morning hours of Friday, July 11, and the school bus accident taking place on Thursday, July 10.
Around 3:15 a.m. on Friday, a 2022 Freightliner tractor trailer struck a pedestrian who was on the roadway near mile marker 6, just past the Congaree River. The collision resulted in the pedestrian’s death at the scene, while the driver of the tractor trailer was unharmed. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this fatal incident.
Meanwhile, on the previous day, a school bus from Pine Ridge Middle School was involved in a serious crash when a tire blew out while returning from a field trip in Charlotte. The accident occurred at approximately 1:45 p.m. on I-77, resulting in the bus veering off the right side of the highway. The vehicle struck a guard rail before overturning. On board were approximately 35 students and three adults, highlighting the significant scale of the incident.
Tragically, an eighth-grade boy has been confirmed deceased from the bus crash, although his family has requested that his name not be released. The Lexington School District, known as Lexington 2, reported that early assessments showed around 35 students and four adults required transportation to local hospitals. Out of those, 21 students from the overturned bus were taken to receive medical care. It remains unclear what the conditions of those hospitalized are at this time.
Emergency personnel responded quickly, with multiple agencies from Chester and surrounding counties assisting in the aftermath of the bus crash. Students were transported to area hospitals either by ambulance or helicopter, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. In response to the bus incident, a reunification site was established at Exit 48 for families anxious to reconnect with their loved ones.
Traffic on I-77 experienced significant disruption due to both the pedestrian collision and the school bus crash, with both northbound and southbound lanes being obstructed for an extended period. The aftermath of these incidents drew a heavy response from authorities, showcasing the collaborative effort of emergency teams and local law enforcement.
In light of the tragic events, a prayer vigil was organized at Pine Ridge Middle School to honor the memory of the deceased student. Furthermore, Governor Henry McMaster and State Superintendent Ellen Weaver expressed their condolences, noting the profound impact of these incidents on the affected families and communities.
These occurrences are part of a developing story, and officials expect to release further information as investigations proceed. The Highway Patrol continues its inquiry into both incidents to ascertain the factors contributing to these tragedies.
As the community grapples with these developments, support structures are in place to aid those affected by both the pedestrian accident and the school bus crash, as educators and local leaders come together to provide assistance to families in need.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Columbia University Alert: Reckless Driving Incident Raises Safety Concerns
Multiple Deadly Car Crashes in Columbia and Lexington, SC
Tragic School Bus Crash Claims Young Life in Chester County
Fatal School Bus Crash in Chester County
Traffic Disruption Impacting Columbia College Commuters
High-Speed Chases Raise Public Safety Concerns in SC
North Carolina Couple Dies in I-95 Crash
West Columbia Man Killed in Two Tragic Vehicle Accidents
Tragic Series of Accidents in Lexington County Claims Lives
Tragic Bus Crash Claims Life of Middle School Student
Additional Resources
- WLTX: 1 Dead in Richland County Collision on I-77
- Google Search: Columbia South Carolina traffic accidents
- WIS TV: RCSD Chase on I-77 Ends in Columbia Crash
- Wikipedia: Interstate 77
- WACH: Lexington County Students Taken to Hospital After Bus Crash on I-77
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Bus
- The State: South Carolina News
- Google News: Lexington School bus crash
- Count On 2: Heartbroken SC Leaders React to Deadly I-77 School Bus Crash
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
