Larry Callahan Killed in Windsor Hit-and-Run Accident
The 79-year-old moped rider was struck from behind on Colbert Bridge Road in Aiken County
*Updated April 15: Larry Callahan, 79, of Windsor, was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Colbert Bridge Road in Aiken County on Tuesday, April 14, according to the coroner's office. He was riding his moped east around 9:30 p.m. when an unidentified vehicle struck him from behind. Callahan was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:17 p.m. from blunt force injuries. The driver fled the accident site. The coroner's office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are continuing to investigate the accident. An autopsy is scheduled for later this week in Newberry.
Investigators are working to identify the driver who fled the scene after Callahan was killed in Windsor. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, said that "Most people don't realize that a tiny paint chip can help catch a driver who fled. Reconstructionists use paint transfer analysis to find the exact make and model of the car that's missing."
How common are fatal hit-and-run crashes in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a high rate of fatal hit-and-run crashes. The state recorded 0.85 fatal hit-and-run incidents per 100,000 residents in recent years, making it the second highest in the South for these types of collisions. Nationally, hit-and-run crashes made up 15 percent of all police-reported crashes in 2023.
What evidence helps solve a hit-and-run accident?
When a driver leaves a crash site, such as the one on Colbert Bridge Road, investigators look for physical evidence. Debris, tire marks, and vehicle parts found at the scene can help determine the type of vehicle involved. Automated license plate readers and surveillance cameras in the area are also used to track a driver's route after a collision.
South Carolina wrongful death statute
Under S.C. Code § 15-51-10, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. South Carolina applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and mental shock and suffering.