August 26, 2025

Fatal Collision on Dutch Fork Road in Columbia, SC

Chapin, SC, August 26, 2025

News Summary

A tragic accident on Dutch Fork Road claimed the life of 35-year-old Kelly M. Johnson and left USC football assistant coach Travian Robertson injured. The collision involved a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder and a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances leading to the crash, amidst ongoing concerns about road safety in the area.

Columbia, SC – A tragic collision on Dutch Fork Road resulted in a fatality and injuries on Friday morning, August 22. The Richland County Coroner’s Office has identified the deceased as 35-year-old Kelly M. Johnson, a resident of Columbia, SC.

The accident took place near Chapin and caused the closure of Dutch Fork Road between Wessinger Road and Three Dog Road, leading to significant traffic delays and detours for motorists in the area.

Details reveal that Johnson was operating a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder and was traveling west on Dutch Fork Road when the accident occurred. A head-on collision ensued with a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Travian Robertson, an assistant football coach for the University of South Carolina, who was traveling east.

Tragically, Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Robertson sustained injuries and was transported to the trauma ICU at Prisma Health Richland Hospital. As reported on Monday, Robertson is expected to recover fully from his injuries, according to statements from the coaching staff.

Whether seat belts were in use by either Johnson or Robertson at the time of the collision remains unclear. The exact cause of the Nissan crossing into oncoming traffic is still under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol in concordance with the coroner’s office.

Robertson, a former defensive lineman for the Gamecocks from 2007 to 2011, is entering his third season as the team’s defensive line coach. Following the accident, Coach Shane Beamer extended condolences and requested privacy for the Robertson family while also asking for prayers for both families affected by this tragic incident.

This collision is part of a worrying trend of road incidents in the area. On the same day, an unrelated fatal wrong-way collision occurred on I-20 in Richland County involving a Kia Rio and a Chevrolet Impala. Additionally, a separate crash resulted in the death of a dump truck driver when the vehicle overturned at the intersection of State Route 13 and State Route 96.

Accident Details

Victim: Kelly M. Johnson, 35, Columbia, SC
Involved Parties: Travian Robertson, USC football assistant coach
Vehicles: 2014 Nissan Pathfinder and 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe
Location: Dutch Fork Road, Chapin, SC
Closure: Dutch Fork Road shut between Wessinger Road and Three Dog Road
Investigation: Ongoing by South Carolina Highway Patrol

Additional Collision Information

Date: August 22
Time: Morning hours
Other Fatal Incidents: Wrong-way collision on I-20 and dump truck accident in Richland County

Context

This incident highlights the serious nature of road safety and the tragic consequences of vehicle collisions. Authorities continue their efforts to ensure safe driving practices and investigate factors contributing to such accidents.

FAQ

What caused the collision on Dutch Fork Road?

The exact cause of the Nissan veering into oncoming traffic is currently under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

What is the current condition of Travian Robertson?

Travian Robertson was injured in the collision but is expected to make a full recovery.

Were seat belts in use during the accident?

It remains unclear whether seat belts were used by either driver at the time of the collision.

Key Features of the Incident

Feature	Description
Date of Accident	August 22
Location	Dutch Fork Road, near Chapin, SC
Fatality	Kelly M. Johnson, 35
Injured Party	Travian Robertson, USC football assistant coach
Investigation Status	Ongoing by South Carolina Highway Patrol