North Charleston Police urge drivers to slow down after 9 fatal crashes this year

The North Charleston Police Department is urging drivers to slow down and stay alert behind the wheel after a troubling number of deadly crashes across the city this year. According to police, officers have investigated 2,814 motor vehicle collisions during the first five months of 2026. Nine people have died in traffic-related crashes since January, with five of those fatalities occurring within the last few weeks. Deputy Chief Scott Keys said the numbers highlight a growing safety concern on North Charleston roadways. "This year, the first five months of this year, we've had 2,814 motor vehicle collisions in our city. That's the ones that the North Charleston Police Department have investigated. That's not including the ones the Highway Patrol or the Sheriff's Office may have investigated within their jurisdiction," Keys said. "It's summertime. Nine fatalities this year. The last five have come within the last few weeks, and what I'm asking your folks to do is slow down and pay attention to your surroundings." Police say many of the deadly crashes have occurred along Rivers Avenue, particularly during nighttime hours. Of the nine fatal crashes reported this year, three involved pedestrians, three were single-vehicle crashes, two involved collisions between vehicles and motorcycles, and one involved two vehicles. "We can lower the crash rate in this city if everybody worked together," Keys said. "And if you're involved in a minor collision, please pull off the side of the road. That's the law." READ MORE | Highway 41 project moves closer to construction after years of revisions Police say excessive speed, distracted driving and failing to adjust to changing traffic conditions are common factors in many of the crashes. "If you're traveling through the city of North Charleston, slow down, be careful, be aware, don't be on your phone," North Charleston Police Chief Ron Camacho said. Officials are particularly concerned about pedestrian crashes. According to Keys, many of the city's auto-versus-pedestrian collisions occur after dark. "Most of the auto-peds are happening at nighttime because people are wearing clothing and they think the cars see them, and they think the car will slow down," Keys said. "Not realizing the car doesn't see them at all until they run over them. Nighttime is our biggest concern with auto-pedestrian crashes." The department is also warning parents about children riding minibikes on city streets. "Parents, if you bought your kid a minibike, do not let them out on the streets of North Charleston," Keys said. Keys added that the small size of the bikes can make them difficult for drivers to see and said many young riders are failing to follow traffic laws. "There are small bikes, these kids are small, and you don't see them," Keys said. "What we're seeing is these kids are not even paying attention to the traffic laws. They're going through stop signs." With summer travel underway and more visitors expected in the area, police say roadways will become increasingly busy. "I want to alert the community that we're in the summer. We have tourists coming here. The roads here are very busy, and we need them to be especially careful in their driving," Camacho said. The North Charleston Police Department says traffic enforcement efforts will continue throughout the year, with increased patrols aimed at reducing serious crashes and saving lives. "Let's all get home safe," Keys said.