NORTH AUGUSTA, Aiken County, S.C., Oct. 6, 2026 — A pedestrian was injured on Sunday night, October 4, after being struck by a car at the intersection of Knox Avenue and East Martintown Road in North Augusta, South Carolina.
The North Augusta Department of Safety Traffic Division responded to the collision, according to the agency. An investigation found that the woman was crossing the intersection toward the North Augusta Plaza when the signal changed to green before she finished crossing, officials said. She was reportedly struck by a small car shortly after.
EMS crews were called to the scene and took the pedestrian to Wellstar for treatment, the agency reported. Her condition has not been released.
The traffic division's investigation remains ongoing. No further details, including the driver's identity or whether charges are under consideration, have been released.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
What the Numbers Show About Pedestrian Crashes
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 68,244 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes in 2023. That figure covers everything from minor injuries to life-altering ones, and it reflects how often people on foot come into contact with vehicles in everyday settings such as crosswalks, parking lots, and intersections, not just on highways or rural roads.
Intersections are a common setting for these crashes because they involve multiple decisions happening at once: signal timing, turning vehicles, and pedestrians who may be mid-crossing when a light changes. A few seconds of mismatch between a walk signal and a traffic light can put a person in a vehicle's path even when everyone involved believes they're following the rules.
The data also points to a pattern that doesn't always make headlines: many pedestrian injuries happen at low speeds, in daylight, at marked crossings. That doesn't make them less serious. It just means that the setting people think of as "safe" is where a large share of these crashes actually occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common in pedestrian accidents?
Leg and hip fractures, head injuries, and soft-tissue trauma are common, since pedestrians typically absorb the initial impact directly and may be knocked to the pavement afterward.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents?
Distracted driving, failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections, and timing mismatches between pedestrian signals and traffic lights are common factors, though the cause of each crash depends on the specific circumstances.
How does vehicle speed affect pedestrian survival?
Lower speeds generally give drivers more time to react and reduce the force of impact if a crash does occur, which is part of why many cities set reduced speed limits near crosswalks and commercial areas.
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen?
A large share occurs at or near intersections, where turning vehicles, changing signals, and crossing pedestrians intersect in a small space.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in North Augusta, SC
If you witness or are involved in a pedestrian crash, call 911 immediately, so EMS and police can respond. Even if injuries seem minor at first, adrenaline can mask pain, so a medical evaluation soon after the crash is important.
Try to stay at the scene until officers arrive and, if you're able, note details like the signal timing, the vehicle involved, and any other witnesses nearby. These details can matter later for the official investigation.
Follow up with a doctor in the days afterward, even if you were treated at the scene or released from the hospital quickly. Some injuries, especially to joints, soft tissue, or the head, can take time to show symptoms.
