LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — UPDATE: Blythewood teen, Columbia woman ID'd as drivers killed in I-26 wrong-way crash
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating what led to the deadly wrong-way I-26 collision that almost completely shut down a portion of the interstate's eastbound lanes hours.
Lance Corporal Nick Pye said the accident happened around 5:30 a.m. near mile-marker 119 - what state maps show as being near the exit to U.S. 21 and Swansea.
Pye said that a 2018 Hyundai sedan was heading east on I-26 when it was struck by a 2011 Jeep traveling the wrong direction in the eastbound lanes. The drivers of both vehicles died as a result of the crash.
Pye didn't have any additional information regarding how the crash occurred or how the Jeep ended up on the wrong side of the interstate.
The investigation had been ongoing since the pre-dawn hours with the road only clearing just before 9:30 a.m.
The Highway Patrol deferred to the Lexington County coroner for the identities of the two killed in the crash.
