Two people killed in Friday morning crash in Orangeburg, one current and one former SC State University students are the victims

Orangeburg, South Carolina – Friday morning car crash in Orangeburg was fatal for two young people, local authorities confirmed.

According to the incident report, the fatal crash happened around 1 a.m. on Friday when a vehicle pursued by the S.C. Highway Patrol collided with another vehicle on Highway 33.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol officials confirmed that no patrol vehicles were involved in the crash and no SCHP officials were injured in the incident.

A S.C. Department of Public Safety trooper saw a 2015 Hyundai Sonata traveling at a high rate of speed in Orangeburg County, and attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect failed to stop.

The SC State University said that one of the victims in the crash was a current student, while the other was an SC State University graduate. The victims, identified as Zeleria Simpson and Shemyia Riliey, were pronounced dead after the incident.

Simpson graduated in May 2021, while Riley was a junior majoring in social work.

“Our hearts break for the families of the beautiful souls we’ve lost,” SC State Interim President Alexander Conyers said. “There are no words that will dull the pain currently being experienced by their immediate families,” Conyers said.

The driver of the Hyundai Sonata was arrested and pending charges. Three other SC State University students were injured in the crash.

The investigation about the incident is still ongoing. Once more details are available, we will update the case.