Pedestrian knocked off Gervais St. Bridge by drunk driver dies, driver’s charges upgraded

Photo Courtesy: Lee Williams

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — According to the Columbia Police Department, the pedestrian struck  in the collision on Gervais Street Bridge has passed away.

Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford has identified the victim as 24-year-old Michael Derrick of Snellville, Georgia.

The driver of the vehicle, 30-year-old William Livingston, was previously arrested and charged with Felony Driving Under the Influence.  The charges have been updated to reflect that the victim has died (Felony DUI Resulting in Death). His bond was upgraded from $1 million to “bond denied.”

According to the CPD,  Derrick was found beneath the bridge after being thrown from the bridge railing during the crash.

Photo of William Livingston courtesy CPD

ORIGINAL STORY FROM JUNE 2ND REPEATED BELOW: 

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – Columbia Police have charged a man for a collision that knocked a pedestrian off a bridge Sunday night.

William Livingston, 30, is charged with felony DUI resulting in bodily injury.

According to investigators, at around 7:45 p.m., Livingston was driving on the Gervais Street Bridge, when he struck a pedestrian and the impact caused the victim to go over the railing.

Police say the victim’s condition is unknown at this time.

Livingston is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on a million dollar bond.

This incident remains under investigation.