Charleston police are investigating a homicide after discovering a driver had been shot before crashing into a power pole on Clements Ferry Road Wednesday morning.

The Charleston Police Department responded to reports of a vehicle collision around 7:30 a.m. near the 1200 block of Clements Ferry Road, about half a mile from the Daniel Island bridge. Officers found the driver dead inside the vehicle with what appeared to be a gunshot wound.

“The initial report was a traffic accident, but our officers quickly determined this was a shooting victim,” said Charleston Police Department spokesperson Michal Mררז in a statement.

The crash temporarily shut down eastbound lanes of Clements Ferry Road during the morning commute, backing up traffic to Long Point Road. Berkeley Electric crews worked to repair the damaged power pole, which left approximately 200 customers without electricity for three hours.

Police have not released the victim’s identity pending notification of family members. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Investigators cordoned off a quarter-mile stretch of road while collecting evidence. Crime scene technicians photographed the vehicle and searched the surrounding area for shell casings or other evidence.

The shooting marks Charleston’s third homicide of 2024, following two fatal shootings in January. Last year, the city recorded 27 homicides, down from 32 in 2022.

Clements Ferry Road has seen increased traffic and development in recent years as Mount Pleasant expands eastward. The corridor connects Daniel Island to the Cainhoy Peninsula, where several major residential developments are under construction.

“This is extremely unusual for this area,” said Mount Pleasant Councilman Jake Rambo, whose district includes the crash site. “Clements Ferry Road is primarily residential and commercial. This kind of violence is shocking to our community.”

The investigation involves multiple law enforcement agencies. Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted with traffic control, while South Carolina Highway Patrol accident reconstruction specialists examined the crash scene.

Police have not said whether they believe the shooting occurred at the crash site or if the victim was shot elsewhere before losing control of the vehicle. The direction of travel and distance between the shooting location and crash site could prove crucial to the investigation.

“We’re looking at all possibilities,” Mררז said. “Was this a random act of violence, a targeted shooting, or did the victim drive to this location after being shot elsewhere? Those are the questions we’re working to answer.”

The Charleston Police Department’s violent crimes unit is leading the investigation. Detectives are reviewing traffic cameras from nearby intersections and canvassing businesses for surveillance footage.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Charleston Police at 843-743-7200 or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to arrests.

This incident adds to ongoing concerns about public safety that have dominated recent Charleston city council meetings and local politics. Mayor William Cogswell has made crime reduction a priority for his administration, announcing plans to hire additional police officers and expand community policing programs.

The shooting investigation comes as Charleston police face scrutiny over response times and staffing levels. The department has 15 vacant positions among its 460 authorized officers, according to city budget documents.

Clements Ferry Road reopened to normal traffic by 2 p.m. Wednesday. Berkeley Electric restored power to all affected customers by 11 a.m.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and more details will be released as they become available. The case will be presented to the Charleston County Solicitor’s Office once a suspect is identified and arrested.