Two drivers died early Sunday when a wrong-way vehicle hit another head-on on I-526 west at the Don Holt Bridge, North Charleston police said. A third driver went to the hospital.

Two drivers were killed early Sunday when a vehicle going the wrong way on Interstate 526 hit another vehicle head-on at the Don Holt Bridge, the North Charleston Police Department said.

The department’s Traffic Unit is investigating. It described the crash in a case post on its CrimeWatch page, which it last updated Wednesday. The department called its findings preliminary.

What police said happened

According to the department:

  • The crash happened at about 2:52 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, in the westbound lanes of I-526 on the downslope of the Don Holt Bridge.
  • A vehicle traveling in the wrong direction in the westbound lanes hit another vehicle head-on.
  • A third vehicle then crashed into the scene.
  • The driver of the wrong-way vehicle and the driver of the first vehicle it hit were pronounced dead at the scene.
  • The driver of the third vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital. The department did not give that driver’s condition.

The department has not named either driver who died. It has not said how the wrong-way vehicle came to be in the westbound lanes. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office is assisting with the investigation.

Road closures

All westbound lanes of I-526 were closed at Clements Ferry Road, and the eastbound lanes were closed for a time near the scene, the department said. The Charleston Police Department helped with the closures.

The Don Holt Bridge carries I-526 over the Cooper River between North Charleston and Daniel Island, in the city of Charleston.

What it means for you

  • If you saw the crash or have information, call the North Charleston Police Department at (843) 740-2800, or use the department’s CrimeWatch page.
  • If you see a wrong-way driver, pull safely to the right and call 911 with the direction of travel and the nearest exit or mile marker.
  • For live closures on I-526 and I-26, dial 511 or check SC 511. Our road construction and closures page lists this week’s lane closures and high tides.

This page will be updated if the department releases more information. Calls and incidents from the department’s own releases are collected each week on the North Charleston Police and Fire log. If a person named in our coverage is later cleared, use our update route and we will amend the item.

Frequently asked questions

What happened on the Don Holt Bridge on Oct. 25?

The North Charleston Police Department said a vehicle traveling the wrong way in the westbound lanes of I-526 hit another vehicle head-on at about 2:52 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, on the downslope of the Don Holt Bridge. A third vehicle then crashed into the scene. Both drivers in the head-on collision died at the scene, and the third driver was taken to a hospital.

Who is investigating the I-526 crash?

The North Charleston Police Department’s Traffic Unit is investigating, with help from the Charleston County Coroner’s Office. The department asks anyone with information to call (843) 740-2800.