News Summary
A fatal accident occurred on April 30, 2025, when Zackary Ryan Rose, a 30-year-old pedestrian, was struck and killed while crossing U.S. 1/Augusta Road in West Columbia. Authorities are investigating the incident, which raises concerns about pedestrian safety in the area, particularly due to the lack of crosswalks. This highlights the urgent need for safety improvements on Augusta Road, where pedestrian fatalities pose a serious risk.
West Columbia, SC – A tragic accident occurred on April 30, 2025, when a pedestrian was struck and killed while crossing U.S. 1/Augusta Road in West Columbia. The victim, identified as Zackary Ryan Rose, a 30-year-old resident of Lexington County, died at the scene due to injuries sustained in the crash, as confirmed by County Coroner Margaret Fisher.
The incident took place in the 2800 block of Augusta Road, a busy thoroughfare that sees significant traffic as it connects to drivers exiting Interstate 26. The driver of the vehicle that hit Rose was reportedly uninjured and remained at the scene following the accident. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It remains unclear whether Rose was using a crosswalk at the time of the accident. This stretch of Augusta Road lacks pedestrian crosswalks, raising concerns about pedestrian safety in the area. Augusta Road is a four-lane route frequented by vehicles, contributing to a daily traffic count averaging 35,100 vehicles in 2024, according to data collected from the surrounding area, which stretches from Jarvis Klapman Boulevard to the I-26 ramps.
As much of the area is under construction aimed at enhancing safety, planned improvements for Augusta Road include the addition of new medians, crosswalks, and traffic lights. These enhancements are part of a project that began in the fall of 2024, and officials hope they will improve conditions for pedestrians and reduce the likelihood of future accidents.
Concerns about pedestrian safety have prompted attention to the high number of pedestrian fatalities in South Carolina. In 2020, the state was reported to have the second-highest number of pedestrian deaths in the nation according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation. This statistic underscores the critical need for ongoing safety improvements on roadways similar to Augusta Road.
The investigation into the incident involving Zackary Ryan Rose is ongoing, with both the Lexington County Coroner’s Office and the West Columbia Police Department actively working to uncover more details about the accident. The tragic loss of Rose raises further awareness about pedestrian safety and the importance of infrastructure improvements to protect all road users.
As authorities continue to gather information, residents are urged to remain vigilant while navigating busy roads, especially in areas lacking adequate pedestrian provisions. The development of Augusta Road and surrounding areas may provide some hope for safer crossings in the future, but the need for immediate attention to pedestrian safety remains paramount.
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: Pedestrian Safety
- WLTX
- Google Search: Pedestrian fatalities South Carolina
- WISTV
- Google Scholar: Pedestrian Safety Improvements
- WACH
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- SWLex Ledger
- Google News: Pending Pedestrian Accidents South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE IRMO
The IRMO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIrmo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Irmo, Lexington and Richland Counties, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Irmo Okra Strut Festival, Harbison Community Events, and local sports tournaments at the Palmetto Health Credit Union Foundation Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission and the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center, plus leading businesses in retail and healthcare that power the local economy such as Village at Sandhill and Lexington Medical Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
