What Charleston Pedestrians Should Know After a Recent Dorchester Road Hit-and-Run

A pedestrian was critically injured in a hit-and-run crash on Dorchester Road in North Charleston on July 9, 2026. Here is what happened, and what it means if something similar happens to you or someone you love.

What happened in this case?

According to the North Charleston Police Department, the pedestrian was lawfully crossing in the crosswalk at Dorchester Road and Apartment Boulevard around 3:38 p.m. when they were struck by a white Ford or Chevrolet pickup truck with a workman’s-style truck bed. Rather than stopping, the driver fled eastbound on Dorchester Road. The victim suffered critical injuries, and as of the most recent update, police were still searching for the vehicle.

Is fleeing the scene actually illegal in South Carolina?

Yes. Under S.C. Code Section 56-5-1210, any driver involved in an accident causing injury or death must stop immediately, remain at the scene, and provide identifying information and reasonable aid to the injured person. Leaving the scene of a crash that causes serious injury is a felony in South Carolina, and leaving after a fatal crash carries even steeper criminal penalties.

If the driver is never found, can I still recover compensation?

Often, yes. Most auto insurance policies in South Carolina include uninsured motorist coverage, which is specifically designed to cover situations where a hit-and-run driver cannot be identified or located. A pedestrian struck by an unidentified driver may be able to recover compensation through their own policy, or through a household member’s policy, even without ever knowing who was behind the wheel.

Why are pedestrian crashes so common on roads like Dorchester Road?

Dorchester Road is a busy, multi-lane commercial corridor that cuts through North Charleston with limited marked crosswalks relative to its traffic volume and speed. Similar conditions exist on other high-traffic Charleston-area roads, including Rivers Avenue, Ashley Phosphate Road, and Savannah Highway, where pedestrians frequently share space with fast-moving commercial and passenger traffic.

What should I do if I witness or am involved in a hit-and-run?

Try to note the vehicle’s color, make, model, license plate, and direction of travel. Call 911 immediately, request medical attention even if injuries seem minor at first, and avoid moving an injured person unless there is an immediate danger like traffic or fire.

How long do I have to file a claim?

South Carolina generally allows three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim, per S.C. Code Section 15-3-530(5), regardless of whether the at-fault driver is ever identified.

Contact Our Team for Guidance

Being struck by a driver who speeds away leaves victims with more than just physical injuries. It leaves unanswered questions and a complicated path to compensation. Our Charleston car accident attorneys at Mickelsen Dalton LLC have helped Charleston-area pedestrians and their families pursue uninsured motorist claims and track down accountability after hit-and-run crashes, and we are ready to talk through your situation whenever you are ready.

Source:

abcnews4.com/news/local/story/pedestrian-critically-injured-in-dorchester-road-hit-and-run-police-seek-suspect-crime-apartment-boulevard-ford-or-chevy-white-pickup-truck-workmans-style-truck-bed