Ford van struck a person refueling a disabled Lexus near mile marker 75
May 09, 2026 | Columbia, SC
What happened in the crash?
William Gunter, 42, was charged after a Ford van struck and killed a pedestrian refuelling a disabled Lexus on Interstate 20 near mile marker 75 in Columbia.
A 42-year-old Columbia man faces multiple felony charges after a hit-and-run crash killed a pedestrian who was refueling a disabled Lexus on Interstate 20.
The crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. in the eastbound lanes near mile marker 75. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the victim was standing beside the Lexus when a Ford van veered off the roadway and struck both the pedestrian and the disabled vehicle, which still had a passenger inside.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The van driver, identified as William Gunter, left the area and was later involved in a second crash before officers took him into custody.
- Date and time: Early Saturday morning, around 2:30 a.m.
- Location: Eastbound I-20, mile marker 75, Columbia area
- Vehicles involved: Lexus, a disabled vehicle, and a Ford van
- Charges filed: Felony leaving the scene of a collision with death, felony DUI, leaving the scene with property damage, and simple possession of marijuana
Why do these accidents happen?
According to the National Safety Council, impaired driving accounts for a significant share of fatal crashes nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that alcohol- and drug-related incidents remain among the leading causes of traffic fatalities.
Key crash statistics
Source |
Statistic |
Details |
|---|
National Safety Council |
10% of fatal crashes |
Attributed to drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication |
Federal Highway Administration |
Second-leading cause |
Impairment-related incidents rank high among U.S. traffic deaths |
Legal Insights
National legal analysts emphasize the importance of prompt, independent review after serious crashes.
In cases such as this, it is important to have an independent investigation conducted quickly to preserve evidence. An attorney can review contributing factors, coordinate professional analysis, locate witnesses, and examine insurance coverage while guiding families through the process.
— Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal.
- Families may explore options for compensation covering funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional distress, said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal.
- Timely legal review helps protect rights as official investigations proceed.
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
Tags: Latest News, Non Commercial, Pedestrian Accident, South Carolina, Fatal Crash, Ford Van, Lexus, Leaving The Scene, Marijuana, Interstate 20, Columbia