Sandy Run, SC - 02/28/2021 (Paul Kirby) – Two pedestrians were killed early Saturday morning as they walked across I-26 in the dark east of Cayce. According to Master Trooper David Jones of the SC Highway Patrol, the pair were attempting to cross I-26 west between Gaston and Sandy Run near mile-marker 118 when the collision occurred.
Master Trooper Jones said the two were walking along the west lanes of the interstate at just before 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2021 when they were struck by a van. Apparently, their vehicle had become disabled and they had left it in the median and started walking. While doing so, the pair were struck by the van travelling west toward Columbia and Spartanburg. Both were pronounced dead on the scene.
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher later identified the pair as an elderly couple. She said that Mr. Frank James Bates, 64, and Ms. Bobbie Jenkins, 70, both of Columbia, were the victims of this tragic crash. The driver of the van that struck them was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.
This collision remains under investigation by the SC Highway Patrol.
