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Dorchester County, SC (August 20, 2026) – A pedestrian was killed early on Thursday morning in a two-vehicle collision on I-26 at mile marker 183. It happened around 2 a.m., according to troopers. That stretch of I-26 runs through Dorchester County between Charleston and Orangeburg.
A 2014 Honda Odyssey was disabled on the side of the road when a 2024 Volkswagen tractor-trailer ran off the roadway and struck both the Honda and the pedestrian, troopers said.
The pedestrian died in the crash. Their identity had not been released as of Thursday.
The wreck remains under investigation. Our condolences go out to the victim’s family and loved ones.
Why Are Disabled Vehicles So Dangerous on a Highway Shoulder?
Disabled vehicles on an interstate shoulder create a serious risk for anyone standing nearby, especially overnight when visibility is limited and passing traffic is often moving at full highway speed. A driver approaching from behind may not notice a stopped vehicle until they’re very close, particularly if hazard lights or reflective triangles aren’t clearly visible.
Large commercial trucks require significantly more distance to stop or change lanes safely compared with a passenger car, which is one reason a truck drifting off the roadway can strike a disabled vehicle with much greater force. Fatigue during overnight hours is a common factor in cases like this, since a driver’s reaction time and awareness naturally decline the longer they’ve been on the road.
Anyone who experiences a breakdown on a highway shoulder is generally advised to move as far from the travel lanes as possible and, if it can be done safely, wait inside the vehicle with a seatbelt on rather than standing outside near passing traffic.
