Saluda High School band director and soccer coach killed in Irmo collision

Irmo, SC 01/15/2024 (Paul Kirby) - Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher positively identified the woman who died in a collision last week as Jennifer Brooke Wingate, age 34, of Columbia, SC. According to Fisher, the collision occurred in the 1300 block of Lake Murray Blvd. near St. Andrews Road in the Irmo area of Lexington County at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

According to the Irmo Police Department, Wingate was driving west on Lake Murray Blvd. when she was struck from behind by another vehicle. Wingate was transported to Prisma Richland’s Trauma Center where she was later pronounced dead due to the injuries she sustained in the collision.

The driver of the other vehicle was also transported to Prisma Richland’s Trauma Center where she was treated. Irmo police then arrested her, She has been identified as 31-year-old Chelsie B. Pittman, She was charged with felony driving under the influence, resulting in death, habitual offender causing death when her license was canceled, suspended or revoked, and driving under suspension third or subsequent offense. Pittman appeared before a Lexington County judge Saturday where she had bonds set on some of the charges. She is still being held at the Lexington County Detention Center because the judge denied her bond on the felony driving under the influence charge.

The Irmo Police Department and the Lexington County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate the incident.

PHOTO CAPTION: Chelsie B. Pittman