Coroner: Pedestrian dies after being hit in N. Charleston crash

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - North Charleston Police say a 22-year-old pedestrian killed in a Saturday morning crash illegally crossed the road.

Oliver Jorge Gomez, from North Charleston, died from injuries sustained in a pedestrian versus vehicle crash at 5:45 a.m., Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal said.

A report from the coroner’s office originally said the crash happened on I-526; however, police confirmed they responded to International Boulevard at 6 a.m. in reference to the crash.

An arriving officer talked to the driver of the van that hit Gomez. The driver told police he was traveling straight on the ramp towards the Montague Avenue ramp when he saw the pedestrian walking down the street.

The driver of the van tried to swerve left out of the way to avoid hitting the pedestrian but was unsuccessful, according to an incident report. Police say the pedestrian made it to the “approximate” middle of the two lanes when he was hit.

Gomez was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

After investigating, police determined that Gomez illegally crossed the road when the crash happened.