Crime & Safety

Columbia Woman Dies of Pre-Existing Medical Condition Before I-20 Crash

Sharon S. Grate, 48, of Howell Court, was identified as the driver of a vehicle that crashed on I-20 Tuesday afternoon.

A Columbia woman died from a pre-existing medical condition prior to her car crashing on Interstate 20 near Broad River Road Tuesday afternoon, the Richland County Coroner's Office announced Wednesday.

Coroner Gary Watts said witnesses reported seeing a vehicle swerving on I-20 before striking the concrete barrier wall. 

Sharon S. Grate, 48, of Howell Court, was identified by Watts as the driver of that vehicle which was traveling westbound on I-20 near mile marker 66.

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Grate was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy conducted Wednesday showed that Grate died prior to the crash from a pre-existing medical condition, Watts said, and that the crash had nothing to do with her death.

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The South Carolina Highway Patrol investigated the crash.

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