Columbia, SC (March 16, 2026) – A three-vehicle crash on the Gervais St Brg in Columbia left one person dead and another critically hurt on Saturday, according to officials.
Emergency units responded to the scene after the collision was reported on the bridge. The crash led to the temporary closure of the roadway for several hours while crews worked at the scene and investigators gathered details.
Authorities said a male driver was traveling at a high rate of speed before crossing the center line. His vehicle then struck an oncoming car, triggering a chain-reaction crash involving three vehicles.
Officials later confirmed the male driver died from his injuries. A female passenger in one of the vehicles was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Investigators also reported that the driver who died was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Authorities spoke with several witnesses and collected evidence from the scene as part of the investigation.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they are provided.
Our sincere condolences go out to the victim’s loved ones.
How Center Line Crossings Can Lead to Serious Crashes
When a vehicle crosses the center line of a roadway, it can quickly lead to a dangerous situation for drivers traveling in the opposite direction. These incidents often result in head-on or multi-vehicle crashes, which tend to cause more severe injuries due to the combined force of vehicles moving toward each other.
Several factors may contribute to a vehicle drifting across the center line. Speeding, driver distraction, fatigue, or sudden loss of control can all affect how well a driver maintains their lane.
Roadway design can also influence crash risk. Bridges and narrower roadways sometimes leave drivers with less room to react if a vehicle enters the wrong lane.
Safety experts often point out that seatbelt use can significantly reduce the chance of fatal injuries during a crash. Even in severe collisions, wearing a seatbelt can help keep occupants inside the vehicle and reduce the impact of sudden forces during the crash.
