Semi-Truck Strikes Pedestrian on I-85

An unidentified pedestrian is expected to survive after he was struck by an 18-wheeler on Interstate 85 near the Laurens Road exit Tuesday morning, according to the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.

The GCSO believes the pedestrian walked in front of the truck intentionally, said Master Deputy Jonathan Smith.

The incident caused massive congestion, jamming traffic from Laurens Road to the Pelham Road exit. 

Around 8:39 a.m., according to Smith, the Sheriff’s Office began receiving 911 calls regarding a pedestrian that had been struck by an 18-wheeler on southbound Interstate 85 near Laurens Road. Deputies arrived on scene and obtained information that the pedestrian intentionally walked in front of the truck. 

The driver of the 18-wheeler attempted to swerve and miss the pedestrian but struck him with the driver side of the vehicle's cab, Smith said. 

The pedestrian was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital and is expected to survive. Due to this being an intentional act the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office will conduct the investigation, Smith said.