COLUMBIA – A state trooper who lived in Union County was killed Saturday morning in a motor vehicle collision in Kershaw County.

Jonathan S. Nash, 41, died around 10 a.m. on U.S. 1 in Camden while escorting a charity ride in honor of Trooper Hardy M. Godbold who was killed in the line of duty in 1992.

Nash was on U.S. 1 headed north when the collision occurred. The collision is being investigated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office at the request of the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office.

There were six Highway Patrol motor units and two HP Patrol cars with their lights activated, escorting a group of motorcycles from Camden Middle School to Bishopville and back to Camden. Godbold’s family has organized the ride in his honor since 2006.

“The South Carolina Department of Public Safety extends its deepest condolences to L/Cpl. Nash’s family,” said SCDPS Director Mark Keel. “His sudden death is a heartbreaking loss for the entire law enforcement community.”

“L/Cpl. Nash was an excellent trooper who had earned the distinction of serving on the motor unit,” said Highway Patrol Col. Kenny Lancaster Jr. “Trooper Nash was well-loved and would be the first to step up and help anyone. This is a tragedy compounded because L/Cpl. Nash was killed during a charity ride to honor another trooper killed on the same roadway.”

He has served on the ACE Team Motor Unit since 2004.

Nash joined the Highway Patrol in 1994. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1986-1993. He is a native of Manatee, Fla.

He is survived by his parents, Dan and George-Ann Nash, both of Anderson, and a 14-year-old daughter. Nash graduated from Oakwood Christian School (Anderson) in 1987. He graduated from Lander College in 1993.