Driver Loses Control, Kills Person in Parking Lot in Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC (September 28, 2026) – A person was killed on Sunday morning, September 27, after a driver lost control of a vehicle while leaving a car wash on Savannah Highway. 

According to the Charleston Police Department, the wreck happened around 10:45 a.m. in the parking lot. 

The driver had just left the car wash's conveyor tunnel when they lost control and struck the person in the parking lot. Emergency units were sent to help, and the person was taken to a hospital.

The person later died from their injuries, and the business was closed for several hours afterward. 

Investigators continue to look into what caused the driver to lose control. 

We extend our sincere condolences to the person's family.

Liability Questions When More Than One Party May Be at Fault in Charleston, SC

When a vehicle crash happens on business property, more than one party can sometimes share responsibility. A driver is generally responsible for maintaining control of a vehicle, but a property owner can also carry some responsibility if unsafe conditions, poor signage, or malfunctioning equipment played a role in what happened.

Businesses that invite customers onto their property, such as car washes, gas stations, and parking facilities, generally must take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable hazards. 

These protections include separating vehicle paths from pedestrian areas and keeping equipment properly maintained. Whether a property owner met that duty typically depends on maintenance records, inspection history, and any prior complaints about similar conditions.

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so a person who is found more than 50 percent at fault cannot recover damages. Meanwhile, a smaller share of fault reduces but does not eliminate a potential recovery. 

When multiple parties may be involved, how fault gets divided can significantly affect the value of a claim. When the accident leads to a fatality, a wrongful death lawyer in Charleston can help gather surveillance footage, maintenance logs, and witness statements to help build a strong claim. 

If your family is dealing with the aftermath of a fatal accident, our team at The Arndt Law Firm can help you sort through your options and move forward. 

We can go over your case and walk you through the open legal paths for you. Call The Arndt Law Firm at (843) 310-4645 to talk through your situation with us and learn more. 

Note: This post has been prepared using information gathered from publicly available secondary sources. The details of the incident have not been independently verified. If you notice any inaccuracies, please contact The Arndt Law Firm so we can promptly review and update the content to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. This content does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not constitute a solicitation for legal services. If you have been injured in an accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. Any photographs included in this post are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual scene of the accident.