A Friday morning crash on Interstate 77 North near Rock Hill turned deadly when a driver was struck and killed near mile marker 82, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The wreck was reported at 10:29 a.m., and crews shut down the northbound lanes for several hours while emergency responders worked the scene. Authorities have not yet released the victim's name.
Troopers' account
Troopers told WBTV the crash involved a 2014 Jeep Wrangler towing a trailer and a 2018 Jeep Renegade. According to investigators, the Wrangler became disabled in the middle of the road, and its driver had gotten out of the vehicle before being struck by the oncoming Renegade. Troopers said the victim’s identity remains withheld, and they did not immediately report any injuries to the other driver.
I-77 shutdown and safety context
Northbound I-77 at mile marker 82 stayed blocked for several hours, causing major delays for drivers as crews worked to clear the wreckage and reopen the interstate. The disruption underscores how quickly a single incident can bring interstate traffic to a halt. Statewide collision data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety offers a broader backdrop: according to the SCDPS 2023 Traffic Collision Fact Book, interstates account for a substantial share of serious and fatal crashes in South Carolina, which helps explain why major wrecks often take hours to investigate and clear.
Investigation ongoing
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is still investigating what led up to the collision and has not provided a timeline for releasing further information. Crash reconstruction work and detailed scene processing kept the interstate closed for several hours as evidence was documented and vehicles removed. Officials say more details will be made public once the facts are confirmed and the victim’s family has been notified.
