2 die when SUV goes off Columbia bridge

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Two people have died after an SUV ran off a bridge and fell into the Congaree River in Columbia.

The vehicle went off the bridge to Cayce at about 9:45 p.m. Thursday.

Columbia Fire Department spokesman Brick Lewis said the SUV was traveling from Columbia to Cayce when it crashed through a guardrail and went into the water.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts says 35-year-old Denzel E. Whyatt Jr., of Columbia was pronounced dead at the scene after the vehicle was pulled from the water.

The passenger, 40-year-old Shannon Y. Mickens of West Columbia, was taken to a Columbia hospital where she was pronounced dead.

There is no indication why the vehicle ran off the bridge.