January 8, 2026

Fatal Hit-and-Run on Ashley River Bridge Claims Bicyclist’s Life

Charleston, South Carolina, January 8, 2026

A tragic hit-and-run incident on the Ashley River Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina, resulted in the death of a bicyclist. The collision occurred at approximately 7 p.m., and the driver fled the scene. The Charleston Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is actively investigating, seeking public assistance in locating the responsible party. This incident underscores ongoing concerns for bike safety in the area, especially with plans for a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle bridge to enhance infrastructure in the future.

Charleston, SC

Fatal Hit-and-Run on Ashley River Bridge Claims Bicyclist’s Life

A bicyclist was tragically killed in a hit-and-run collision on the Ashley River Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina, on Tuesday night, January 6, 2026, just before 7 p.m.. The victim was traveling in the roadway on the bridge when they were struck by a vehicle that subsequently fled the scene. The bicyclist died at the scene of the accident. Authorities are actively investigating the incident and are seeking the public’s assistance in locating the responsible driver and vehicle.

Investigation Underway

The Charleston Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is leading the ongoing investigation into the fatal collision. The roadway on the Ashley River Bridge heading into downtown Charleston was closed for approximately three hours following the incident and reopened around 10 p.m. As of now, the vehicle and its driver have not been located. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office is expected to release the name of the deceased individual. This marks the first fatal traffic-related collision investigated by the Charleston Police Department in 2026.

Authorities urge anyone with information related to the collision to contact the Charleston Police Department’s Traffic Unit at (843) 965-4084. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online.

Legal Ramifications of Hit-and-Run Incidents in South Carolina

In South Carolina, leaving the scene of an accident, commonly known as a hit-and-run, carries severe legal consequences, particularly when it results in a fatality. State law mandates that all parties involved in a car accident must stop, provide contact information, and render aid if needed. Failure to comply can lead to criminal charges.

If a hit-and-run collision results in the death of a victim, the liable party can face felony charges. Penalties can include imprisonment ranging from one year to up to 35 years and fines between $10,000 and $25,000. The specific penalties are often determined by the severity of injuries, the cost of property damage, and any previous history of similar offenses. Additionally, a conviction for a hit-and-run offense can lead to the suspension or revocation of the driver’s license.

Bicycle Safety and Infrastructure on Ashley River Bridge

The Ashley River Bridge, a vital connector in Charleston, consists of two separate spans for northbound and southbound traffic along Highway 17. The outbound bridge features a small sidewalk, but the inbound bridge, where this recent incident occurred, currently lacks one. Concerns regarding the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians on these bridges have been long-standing, with at least thirteen individuals injured or killed while walking or biking across them in less than a decade.

Efforts are underway to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety in the area. Federal funding has been allocated for the construction of a third bridge dedicated solely to bike and pedestrian traffic across the Ashley River. This project, known as the Ashley River Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge, broke ground in January 2025 and is anticipated to open in mid-2027. Recent updates indicate progress on the western marsh work, with significant linear feet of boardwalk installed and ongoing pile driving and concrete pouring. The city is also awaiting final designs for the peninsula landing and plans to continue work on connections to both the West Ashley and peninsula sides, with the over-river portion and movable span to be completed last.

Traffic Accident Landscape in Charleston and South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, has consistently shown a high number of traffic accidents. In 2021, Charleston County recorded 16,071 total collisions, including 72 fatal collisions and 260 collisions resulting in serious injuries. Approximately one out of every twelve collisions in South Carolina occurs in Charleston County.

State-level statistics also highlight a concerning trend. South Carolina ranks as the 10th highest state for fatal car accidents and the 2nd highest for car accidents per 100,000 residents. In the last year, there were over 1,100 car accident deaths, equating to 23.1 deaths per 100,000 residents. On average, South Carolina experiences one auto accident every 3.6 minutes, one accident involving injury every 14.4 minutes, and one fatal collision every 7.9 hours. Major contributing factors to fatal crashes in South Carolina between 2014 and 2018 included speeding (40% of fatalities), alcohol-impaired driving (33%), and failure to wear seatbelts (32%).

The ongoing investigation into the Ashley River Bridge hit-and-run underscores the critical need for driver vigilance and adherence to traffic laws to ensure the safety of all road users, especially vulnerable pedestrians and bicyclists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happened on the Ashley River Bridge?

A bicyclist was tragically killed in a hit-and-run collision on the Ashley River Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina, on Tuesday night, January 6, 2026, just before 7 p.m.

When did the incident occur?

The incident occurred on Tuesday night, January 6, 2026, just before 7 p.m.

Who is investigating the hit-and-run?

The Charleston Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is leading the ongoing investigation.

Have the driver and vehicle been located?

As of now, the vehicle and its driver have not been located.

What are the potential penalties for a fatal hit-and-run in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, a fatal hit-and-run can lead to felony charges, with potential imprisonment from one year to up to 35 years and fines between $10,000 and $25,000. It can also result in the suspension or revocation of the driver’s license.

What is being done to improve bicyclist safety on the Ashley River Bridge?

Federal funding has been allocated for the construction of a third bridge dedicated to bike and pedestrian traffic across the Ashley River, known as the Ashley River Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge. This project broke ground in January 2025 and is expected to open in mid-2027.

Key Features of the Ashley River Bridge Incident and Context

Feature	Description	Scope
Incident Type	Fatal hit-and-run collision involving a bicyclist	Local
Location	Ashley River Bridge, Charleston, South Carolina	Local
Date and Time	Tuesday night, January 6, 2026, just before 7 p.m.	Local
Victim Status	Bicyclist killed at the scene	Local
Investigation Status	Active investigation by Charleston Police Department’s MAIT; driver and vehicle not yet located.	Local
Road Closure	Ashley River Bridge roadway closed for approximately three hours, reopened around 10 p.m.	Local
Legal Penalties for Fatal Hit-and-Run	Felony charges, 1 to 35 years imprisonment, $10,000-$25,000 fines (State-level), license suspension/revocation (State-level).	State-level
Bicycle Infrastructure Project	Construction of a dedicated Ashley River Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge underway, expected to open mid-2027.	Local
South Carolina Traffic Fatalities Ranking	10th highest state for fatal car accidents, 2nd highest for car accidents per 100,000 residents.	State-level
Charleston County Collisions (2021)	16,071 total, 72 fatal, 260 serious injury collisions.	Local

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