DARLINGTON, SC (WBTW) – A truck crashed into the Darlington County Courthouse early Monday morning. Coroner Todd Hardee said one person in the truck died. He said the truck caught fire after the crash.
Hardee identifies the man killed in the crash as Richard Ryan Cowick, 42, of Darlington, and says an autopsy would be needed for him to determine more details about Cowick’s death.
Hardee said SLED is involved in the investigation because the crash involved the county courthouse within the city limits. Sgt. Kim Nelson with the Darlington Police Department said the Darlington Sheriff’s Office was also working on the investigation.
Darlington County Sheriff Wayne Byrd said the crash happened at 4:15 a.m. on the south side of the building. Smoke did get inside the second and thirds floors, Byrd said.
Byrd also said General Sessions Court has been canceled for Monday. All county employees are being asked to report to the library Monday morning.
Darlington County government operations will resume normal operations at the courthouse on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., according to Molly Odom with the Darlington County Emergency Management Department. The structure has been inspected and deemed safe to return to normal business, adds Odom.
