SUV Strikes Pedestrian in South Carolina, Launching Them Off Bridge
In June of 2026, 6 KWQC reported that a pedestrian had suffered serious injuries after falling from a bridge. The fatal fall occurred after an SUV impacted the victim and launched them onto the riverbank. Incidents like these highlight just how dangerous pedestrian accidents in South Carolina can be.
Driver Faces DUI Charges After Launching Pedestrian Off Bridge
The driver in question is now facing felony DUI charges, and police say that he was under the influence when he struck and severely injured a pedestrian on a bridge. The incident occurred in Columbia, on the Gervais Street bridge. The defendant’s SUV veered into a curb, crossed multiple lanes of traffic, and went onto the sidewalk before striking the pedestrian.
The impact was so severe that it sent the pedestrian flying off the bridge. The victim did not land in the water, but rather on the riverbank directly underneath the bridge. As a result, they suffered severe injuries. First responders rushed them to a nearby hospital, and they survived the incident.
Can I Sue After Being Launched Off a Bridge by a Vehicle?
You can certainly explore the possibility of a pedestrian accident lawsuit after an incident like this, especially if you fell a long distance after the impact. These kinds of collisions may be associated with various injuries. A victim may face not only injuries associated with initial vehicular impacts (broken bones, crushed organs, etc), but also fall-related injuries. As a result, it is safe to say that a victim’s life may never be the same after a collision like this.
Aside from suing the negligent driver, you might also want to explore a potential claim against the local municipality. Did the sidewalk offer sufficient protection against moving vehicles? If you fell off the bridge after the impact, was the railing high enough to stop you from falling? In the aforementioned incident, the pedestrian may have been launched onto the railing before going over it. If the railing was too low, one might argue that the local municipality may be partially liable for the injuries.
Aside from bridges, pedestrians may fall down other elevated platforms after collisions as well. These might include overpasses, staircases, alcoves, hillsides, and much more. These subsequent falls may result in broken legs, traumatic brain injuries, sprained wrists, and many other injuries. Consider speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine the most appropriate pathway toward compensation after an incident like this.
Can a South Carolina Pedestrian Accident Attorney Help Me?
A pedestrian impact can become exceedingly more dangerous in certain situations, especially when victims are launched from elevated platforms. If you suffered an injury of this nature, you have every right to consider legal action against the driver responsible. To learn more about the next potential steps, contact the South Carolina pedestrian accident attorneys at Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC.
Sources:
wagmtv.com/2026/06/02/driver-charged-with-dui-after-pedestrian-hit-by-car-thrown-off-bridge/
wqc.com/2026/06/02/driver-charged-with-dui-after-pedestrian-hit-by-car-thrown-off-bridge/?outputType=amp
