North Carolina State sophomore Brayden Bulger is still in the hospital after a hit-and-run on Hilton Head Island left him with a traumatic brain injury. Friends and fraternity brothers say the injuries are severe and that he is staring down a long and uncertain road to recovery.
South Carolina Highway Patrol officials say the crash happened just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, on U.S. 278 in Hilton Head, and that the driver took off instead of stopping, according to WBTV. Troopers have asked the public to be on the lookout for a silver or gray SUV that may have noticeable damage to its hood and windshield. The investigation is still active, and no arrests have been announced.
Bulger's Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter shared publicly that he was hospitalized and urged people to keep his family in their thoughts. Friends launched a GoFundMe to help with mounting medical costs, and the organizer's page shows more than $57,000 raised in just the first few days. Fraternity brothers told WTOC they watched the moment of impact and sprinted to help after the vehicle struck Bulger while he and friends were crossing the roadway.
Investigation and Vehicle Description
Security-camera footage from a nearby business reportedly captured the collision, giving investigators at least a glimpse of the suspect vehicle. Troopers say the SUV was last seen heading west on U.S. 278 near Dunnagans Alley, as WJCL reports. Investigators are asking anyone who has video from the area or information about a damaged SUV matching the description to contact authorities so they can track down the vehicle and the driver.
Why U.S. 278 Has Become a Flashpoint
U.S. 278 has seen multiple pedestrian and cyclist crashes in recent years, and the corridor has become a sore spot for many locals. Town officials have debated whether to add more lighting and crosswalk upgrades to cut down on nighttime collisions, according to The Island Packet. Corridor and lighting improvements are listed in capital plans, but residents remain split over how far to go, weighing safety measures against preserving Hilton Head's famously low-light, low-key atmosphere.
Bulger's fraternity has continued to ask the community to keep him and his family close in their thoughts while he recovers, and updates from relatives and the chapter have been shared on social media and the fundraiser page. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant video is asked to contact the South Carolina Highway Patrol at 843-661-4705, according to WJCL.
