Murder Investigation Temporarily Closes I-20 in Richland County

Authorities say the driver may have been shot before a single-vehicle accident on the interstate.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Richland County deputies were called to Interstate 20 eastbound just after 2 a.m. on February 23 after South Carolina Highway Patrol officers investigated a single-vehicle accident and discovered the driver may have been shot. Authorities confirmed one deceased victim at the scene and shut down the eastbound lanes between Alpine Road and Clemson Road for over an hour as they investigated the incident.

Why it matters

Interstate 20 is a major thoroughfare through Richland County, with nearly 89,000 vehicles passing through that stretch on average each day in 2024. The temporary closure caused significant traffic disruptions in the area as authorities worked to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and vehicle accident.

The details

Richland County deputies were called to I-20 eastbound just after 2 a.m. on February 23 after South Carolina Highway Patrol officers discovered a single-vehicle accident. Upon further investigation, they determined the driver may have been shot prior to the accident. Authorities confirmed one deceased victim at the scene and shut down the eastbound lanes between Alpine Road and Clemson Road around 5 a.m. to investigate the incident. The interstate had reopened by 6:30 a.m., but the investigation was still ongoing as authorities worked to determine where the shooting occurred and the circumstances that led to it.

  • Authorities were called to the scene just after 2 a.m. on February 23, 2026.
  • The eastbound lanes of I-20 were shut down around 5 a.m. on February 23, 2026.
  • The interstate had reopened by 6:30 a.m. on February 23, 2026.

The players

Richland County Sheriff's Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and is leading the murder investigation.

South Carolina Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency that initially responded to the single-vehicle accident on I-20 and discovered the driver may have been shot.

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What’s next

The investigation is still ongoing as authorities work to determine where the shooting occurred and the circumstances that led to it.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of interstate highway safety and the challenges law enforcement face in responding to violent crimes that occur on major thoroughfares. The temporary closure of I-20 caused significant traffic disruptions, underscoring the need for efficient investigation and response protocols on high-traffic roadways.