COLUMBIA, SC — The University of South Carolina community is mourning the loss of 21-year-old Nate Baker, a beloved junior business major killed in a hit-and-run motorcycle crash Wednesday afternoon. The fatal collision occurred at the busy intersection of Blossom and Assembly streets, one of Columbia’s most dangerous intersections according to recent traffic safety reports.
Columbia Police Department officers responded to the scene around 3:45 p.m. to find Baker severely injured. Despite being rushed to Prisma Health Richland Hospital, the promising student succumbed to his injuries. Police later arrested 24-year-old Rosali Fernandez Cruz, who allegedly fled the scene in his pickup truck. Cruz now faces multiple felony charges including hit-and-run resulting in death and driving without a valid license.
Baker was an active leader in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, having been named Brother of the Year in 2023. “Nate was the embodiment of everything we value – kindness, integrity and brotherhood,” said fraternity president Michael Reynolds. University records show Baker maintained a 3.8 GPA while serving as the chapter’s Tailgate Chair and Corresponding Secretary.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through campus, with hundreds gathering for an impromptu vigil Wednesday night. USC President Michael Amiridis announced expanded counseling services would be available indefinitely. “We’ve lost one of our brightest,” Amiridis said in a statement. “Nate represented the very best of the Gamecock spirit.”
Police continue investigating whether speed, alcohol or distracted driving contributed to the crash. Court records show Cruz had two prior traffic violations in Richland County. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison under South Carolina’s enhanced penalties for fatal hit-and-run crashes.
Baker’s family has established a memorial scholarship for entrepreneurship students. A formal campus vigil will be held Friday at 6 p.m. on the Horseshoe, with Governor Henry McMaster expected to attend. The university is also planning safety improvements at the crash intersection, including new crosswalks and traffic signals.
