The Columbia Police Department’s (CPD) Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) is now investigating a hit and run involving a pedestrian as a fatal incident.
According to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts, 52-year-old Benjamin Franklin Walker died from blunt force trauma to the upper body and was pronounced deceased at a local hospital on Friday, January 17, 2020.
A preliminary investigation conducted by the CPD TSU indicates that Walker was struck by a vehicle while walking on a sidewalk at the 3700 block of West Beltline Boulevard on January 9, 2020.
Officers are releasing a picture of a vehicle of interest and believe the driver and/or passenger (s) may have information to assist investigators with the case. The vehicle appears to be a white or light-colored newer model, mid-size SUV.
Chief W.H. ‘Skip’ Holbrook encourages citizens with information about the incident to contact CRIMESTOPPERS in any of the following ways:
CALL toll-free, 888-CRIME-SC.
LOG onto: www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a tip” tab.
DOWNLOAD the new P3 Tips App for Apple or Android devices.