Crime & Public Safety

Florida man killed in hit-and-run crash with tractor-trailer in Jasper County, coroner says

A 72-year-old Florida man was killed early Monday in a hit-and-run collision with a tractor-trailer Monday near Hardeeville, the South Carolina Highway Patrol reported.

The victim was identified as Michael Johnson of Port St. Lucie, who was driving at the time of the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene. The two passengers in his vehicle were taken to Savannah Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to Trooper Nick Pye, a spokesperson for the Highway Patrol.

The accident occurred around 4:50 a.m. when Johnson’s 2010 Nissan Rogue struck the rear of a commercial vehicle. The Highway Patrol said the tractor-trailer did not stop after the collision and continued traveling south on I-95 toward Georgia.

A description of the vehicle is still undetermined, the patrol said.

Anyone with details on the second vehicle involved in the accident can submit an anonymous tip to the South Carolina Highway Patrol at (843) 953-6010 or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at (843) 554-1111.

This story was originally published August 16, 2022 at 12:41 PM.

Evan McKenna
The Island Packet
Evan is a breaking news reporter for The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. A Tennessee native and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he reports on crime and safety across Beaufort and Jasper counties. For tips or story ideas, email emckenna@islandpacket.com or call 843-321-8375.
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