Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

No injuries reported, westbound traffic backed up Sunday morning

 

COLUMBUS—On Sunday morning, a vehicle was severely damaged after it collided with a downed tree on I-26 West near mile marker 67.

The driver, who wished to remain anonymous, was on their way to church when the tree fell from the side of the interstate near the Welcome Center, just before the Columbus exit. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., and no injuries were reported.

“The tree literally fell right in front of her, and as the tree was falling, she tried to avoid it,” said Johnathan Hopkins, a friend of the driver.

Both lanes were temporarily closed as Columbus Fire Department personnel worked to remove the tree. By 10:30 a.m., the tree had been removed. 

“It took us about 15 minutes to get it cleaned up,” said Columbus firefighter Zack Watts. 

The driver declined medical evaluation and wished to be brought to church after the incident, asking  Hopkins for transportation, who obliged.

Traffic on I-26 westbound was backed up for several miles as crews worked to finish clearing debris from the interstate.