A late-night breakdown on I-77 in Rock Hill turned fatal yesterday when a driver was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer after walking onto the southbound lanes near Mount Holly Road, according to authorities. The collision happened around 10 p.m. yesterday after a Volkswagen sedan left the roadway, hit a wall and became disabled. The driver, who has not yet been identified, walked onto the interstate and was hit, and emergency responders pronounced the person dead at the scene.
What State Troopers Say Happened
State troopers gave their initial account to WBTV, saying the Volkswagen veered off the roadway, hit a wall and became disabled before the person left the car and walked into the highway. According to WBTV, a southbound tractor-trailer then struck both the pedestrian and the disabled Volkswagen. The outlet reports the victim was still unidentified and that no additional details about the crash circumstances had been released at the time.
Deadly Pattern On This Stretch Of I-77
This section of I-77 has seen similar tragedy in recent months. In April, troopers told WCCB Charlotte that a driver who exited a disabled Jeep on I-77 was struck and killed, a grim reminder of how quickly an ordinary breakdown on a high-speed interstate can become deadly.
Rising Toll On South Carolina Roads
Traffic fatalities have been a growing concern statewide this year. Through April, at least 249 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2026, The State reported, citing data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Highway Patrol Investigation Continues
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate Thursday night’s crash. Troopers have not released the identity of the person who died or any information about the tractor-trailer driver. According to WBTV, the agency had not provided additional details as of the outlet’s latest update.
