COLUMBIA, Columbia County, Ga., Sept. 26, 2026 — A pedestrian died early on Saturday morning, September 26, after being struck by a vehicle on Old Evans Road. The crash happened near Briarwood Drive.
The sheriff's office said the crash occurred around 12:33 a.m. as a vehicle was traveling westbound on Old Evans Road. The Columbia County Coroner's Office identified the pedestrian as 40-year-old Samuel May of Martinez.
Investigators said May had been walking west along the edge of the roadway with a friend before stepping into the westbound lane, and the vehicle struck May with its front end. The driver told deputies he did not see May in the roadway before the impact.
Emergency crews responded and attempted medical care, but May died at the scene. The crash remains under investigation, and no charges have been announced.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
A Common Misconception About Nighttime Pedestrian Crashes
Many people assume pedestrian deaths happen mostly at busy intersections or crosswalks, where foot traffic is heaviest. The evidence points the other way. A large share of fatal pedestrian crashes occur on ordinary roadway stretches, usually at night, where a walker is on the shoulder or edge of a travel lane rather than at a marked crossing.
Drivers also tend to overestimate how visible a pedestrian is in low light. Dark clothing, no lighting, and a driver's limited headlight range can mean someone on foot is invisible until seconds before impact, even on a road with light traffic.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 68,244 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes in 2023. That volume shows these crashes are not confined to a handful of high-risk crossings; they happen across all kinds of roads and conditions, which is part of why the assumption that walking near traffic, rather than crossing it, is safe does not hold up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common in pedestrian accidents?
Head trauma, broken bones, and internal injuries are typical, since a pedestrian has no protection from the impact of a vehicle.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents?
Poor visibility, driver inattention, speeding, and pedestrians walking along or crossing roadways outside designated areas are frequent factors.
How does vehicle speed affect pedestrian survival?
Survival odds drop sharply as speed increases. A pedestrian struck at higher speeds is far less likely to survive than one struck at low speed.
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen?
Many occur outside marked crosswalks, including on roadway shoulders and edges, particularly in low-light conditions.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Columbia County, GA
Anyone involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately so emergency responders can reach the scene. If it's safe to do so, avoid moving an injured person unless there's immediate danger.
Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is important, since some injuries from being struck by a vehicle are not immediately obvious. Getting checked at a hospital or by an EMT creates a record that can matter later.
Cooperating with responding deputies and giving a clear, honest account of what was seen helps investigators piece together what happened. Anyone with additional information about a crash like this is typically encouraged to contact the sheriff's office handling the case.
