GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Officials are investigating a hit-and-run that left one person dead on Tuesday.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, around 8:18 p.m., a pedestrian was walking North on Cedar Lane Road near West Parker Road when they were struck by an unknown vehicle.
According to the highway patrol the pedestrian died on the scene. The vehicle that hit them drove away from the scene.
“When we got there EMS had pronounced Billy Lark, he is 49 years of age deceased on the scene,” Greenville County Chief Deputy Coroner Mike Ellis said. An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday.
According to highway patrol, Lark was struck by a white work-style van with ladders mounted on the roof. It may have damage to the front end and hood area.
Investigators are still searching for the vehicle.
You can see marks on the road where Lark was hit. The Greenville County Coroner’s office confirmed to us he was not in a crosswalk and it is a low-lit area, but they said Lark did not have on dark clothing.
“It can not hurt to have more lit areas,” Ellis said. “It can not hurt to have more crosswalks but people do cross in the roadway when there are crosswalks and they don’t utilize them.”
In 2022 the coroner’s office said 27 pedestrian deaths occurred in Greenville County. So far this year there have been 15.
“A pedestrian they have a lot they can be responsible for when something like this happens but also you have a driver that’s got to be a little more conscious of what is going on in their surroundings,” Ellis said.
Ellis said their record will show at the end of the year which roads in the counties are most dangerous for pedestrians. He said a few roads have consistently been at the top of that list over the past several years.
“White Horse Road, Cedar Lane Road, Farrs Bridge,” Ellis said. “They also are extremely high populated areas where people do walk.”
Authorities are reminding drivers to pay attention and if you do hit a pedestrian in the roadway, you are required to stop and call 911.
Anyone with information on the van troopers are looking for can report a tip by calling 864-241-1000.
