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IRMO, Richland County, S.C., Oct. 3, 2026 — A pedestrian died Friday morning, October 2, after being struck by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 26 near Irmo. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash happened in the eastbound lanes close to mile marker 100.
Master Trooper William Bennett said the crash occurred about 5:30 a.m. near the Broad River Road exits. A 2015 Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling east on I-26 when a pedestrian reportedly tried to cross the eastbound lanes.
The pedestrian died at the scene, troopers said. The Richland County Coroner's Office has not released the person's identity.
Road, lighting, and weather conditions at the time have not been released. Investigators also have not said why the pedestrian was on the interstate, but the crash remains under investigation.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Why Pedestrians End Up Crossing High-Speed Highways Like I-26
Interstates and other limited-access highways are built for speed and through traffic, not for people on foot. Unlike arterial roads in town, they typically have no sidewalks, no marked crossings, and no signals, so anyone who needs to get from one side to the other has only the shoulder and the open lanes to work with. When a stranded vehicle, a missed exit, or a shortcut puts someone near the roadway, there is usually no safe, designed path across it.
This gap matters most where a highway cuts close to local development, exits, or service roads, like interchange areas where pedestrians sometimes end up walking along or crossing the mainline rather than circling to a controlled crossing point. Drivers in those lanes are moving at highway speed and rarely expect a person on foot, which shortens reaction time for everyone involved.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Many of those deaths happened on roads built without any pedestrian infrastructure at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pedestrian crashes more common at night?
Yes. Reduced visibility makes it harder for drivers to see people in or near the roadway, and a large share of pedestrian deaths nationally happen after dark, especially on roads without lighting.
What should a pedestrian do after being hit by a car?
Call 911 immediately if possible, avoid moving unless there's a safety risk, and seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some injuries aren't immediately apparent.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks, but highways and interstates typically have no crosswalks at all, meaning pedestrians are not expected to be present.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Irmo, SC
Anyone who witnesses a pedestrian crash should call 911 right away and avoid approaching moving traffic. If you're a bystander, note what you can safely observe, since details like timing and vehicle position can matter later to investigators.
Family members seeking information after a crash like this can contact the Richland County Coroner's Office for updates on identification, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol for the status of the investigation. Those processes can take time, particularly when the agency is still confirming details of what happened.
