West Columbia Sign Damaged in Hit-and-Run Incident
West Columbia, SC — A city sign was damaged in a hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Charleston Highway and U.S. 321 on February 2, 2026, during a rare snowstorm.
According to the West Columbia Police Department, a driver struck the sign, estimated to incur around $10,000 in repair costs. Authorities confirmed that the incident is still under investigation.
Mayor Tem Miles stated that the traffic sign, which is designed to withstand impacts, has become slightly tilted. “I figured it would cost a fairly substantial amount, with the way those signs are constructed,” Miles said. “But to be honest with you, that was kind of the purpose.”
Traffic studies from the South Carolina Department of Transportation indicate that both roadways experience over 20,000 vehicles daily, and the intersection has recorded 12 accidents in the past three years.
Historically, the area has faced challenges with vehicle collisions. Miles noted that nearby fuel pumps have been hit multiple times, prompting the gas station to earlier use a limousine as a temporary barrier.
In response, the city invested nearly $30,000 in May 2024 to install the sign reading “West Columbia Head West.” Miles emphasized that while accidents may continue to occur, the design aims to provide safer impacts for vehicles.
“It's built to have a little bit of give to it, so it's not as dangerous of an impact for whoever's in the vehicle,” he added.