Authorities on Friday released the names of the two people died after an SUV drove off the Blossom Street bridge into the Congaree River.
Denzel E. Whyatt Jr., 35, and Shannon Y. Mickens, 40, were killed, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said.
A fire department dive team pulled Mickens from the wrecked car in the water. She was transported to the hospital, where she later died. Whyatt was pronounced dead on the scene.
The vehicle left the roadway, crashed through the bridge railway and fell into the river, authorities said.
Witnesses called police around 9:45 p.m., and several agencies responded, including the Columbia Police Department and Columbia-Richland Fire Department.
Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins said late Thursday that one person might still be in the vehicle.
The bridge was closed both ways Thursday night but opened up again around 3 a.m.