The Charleston Police Department is investigating a fatal hit-and-run incident that took place on January 6, 2026, just before 7 p.m. on the Ashley River Bridge leading into downtown Charleston.
According to police, a bicyclist was traveling in the roadway on the bridge when they were struck by a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle left the scene following the collision. The victim died at the location, and their identity will be released by the Charleston County Coroner’s Office.
The road was closed for about three hours and reopened around 10 p.m.
Authorities have not yet located either the vehicle or its driver. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Charleston Police Department’s Traffic Unit at (843) 965-4084 or submit tips anonymously at www.charleston-sc.gov/tips.
“This is the first fatal traffic-related collision investigated by the Charleston Police Department in 2026,” according to police.
Charleston serves as both a municipal government and county seat for Charleston County in South Carolina. It oversees public services aimed at ensuring safety and maintaining infrastructure within areas such as those surrounding Charleston Harbor and extending throughout the region. More information about city history can be found on its official website. The city also emphasizes quality of life improvements through partnerships with regional entities and focuses on historical preservation, as described on its mission page.


