South Carolina Sheriff's Deputy Seriously Injured, Tow-Truck Driver Missing After Being Struck on Bridge

CHARLESTON, South Carolina -- A Charleston County Sheriff's deputy was seriously injured and tow truck driver is missing after they were struck by a passing vehicle while assisting with a disabled vehicle Wednesday morning.

Deputy Mike Costanzo stopped to help a tow truck driver and a disabled motorist on Interstate 526 westbound on the Don Holt Bridge shortly before 10 a.m. when a vehicle struck Costanzo’s marked patrol vehicle, which then struck other vehicles on scene, according to a news release.

Both Costanzo and the tow truck driver were outside their vehicles. Costanzo sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The tow truck driver was not located at the scene at the Coast Guard and local marine patrol resources were conducting a waterway search in an effort to find him. 

"We thank everyone for your support and prayers for Deputy Mike Costanzo, and we renew those requests for prayers for the missing tow truck driver and all involved," Charleston County Sheriff's Office officials said in a statement. "Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, tow truck drivers and more face increased hazards whenever working on the roadside. We thank all of them for their dedicated service despite these dangers."

Costanzo had worked for Charleston County Sheriff's Office CSO between 1994 and 2006, then returned in April 2017. He has served as a much-loved School Resource Officer at Sullivan’s Island Elementary during the school year and was assigned to the Marine Patrol Unit this summer.

The collision is under investigation by the S.C. Highway Patrol.