News
Tragic Collision: One Fatality, One Arrest in Richland County Hit-and-Run Crash
In a devastating incident on a Richland County road, a car collided with a tractor in a hit-and-run crash, resulting in the death of a passenger and the arrest of the driver. The South Carolina Highway Patrol has provided details on the tragic event that unfolded late Wednesday night.Unraveling the Tragic Sequence of Events
The Collision and Its Aftermath
The two-vehicle collision occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Lower Richland Boulevard, near the intersection with Air Base Road, in the Hopkins area, approximately a mile from Lower Richland High School. A John Deere tractor was facing north on Lower Richland Boulevard, working to remove a tree from the road, when a 2016 Hyundai sedan, traveling south, collided with the tractor. The impact caused the sedan to veer off the left side of the road.Tragically, a passenger in the Hyundai sedan was killed in the collision. The driver of the sedan, identified as 20-year-old Richland County resident Jalen Woodard, fled the scene immediately after the crash. Authorities later apprehended Woodard and charged him with leaving the scene of a collision involving death.The Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Woodard was taken into custody and transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where he was booked on the charge of leaving the scene of a collision involving death. No bond has been set for Woodard, and he remains in custody. Following a bond hearing, Woodard is scheduled to return to court on September 27th, according to Richland County judicial records.The Richland County Coroner's Office has not yet publicly identified the passenger who lost their life in the tragic incident. Neither Woodard nor the tractor operator sustained any injuries, and no other individuals were reported to be hurt in the crash.The Ongoing Investigation
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. It remains unclear whether Woodard or the passenger were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. The investigation will likely shed more light on the events leading up to the tragic incident.The Grim Toll on South Carolina's Roads
This incident is part of a larger trend of increasing road fatalities in South Carolina. According to the state Department of Public Safety, 518 people had died on South Carolina roads as of Sunday, with Richland County accounting for at least 27 of those deaths in 2024. In 2023, the state reported 1,030 road fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for improved road safety measures and increased awareness among drivers.The tragic loss of life in this hit-and-run collision serves as a somber reminder of the importance of responsible driving and the devastating consequences that can arise from reckless behavior on the roads. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the victim and awaits justice for this senseless tragedy.
