News Summary
Multiple fatalities were reported in Lexington County due to a series of accidents on Tuesday and Wednesday. Various incidents involved collisions resulting in significant injuries and road safety concerns. Authorities are investigating the causes of these tragic crashes, while the local community mourns the loss of life. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety highlights a worrying rise in road fatalities, reiterating the need for heightened safety measures.
Lexington County, South Carolina – A series of tragic accidents on Wednesday and Tuesday resulted in multiple fatalities in Lexington County. Authorities reported four separate incidents, raising concerns about road safety in the area.
One of the unfortunate collisions occurred on Founders Road on Wednesday evening at approximately 6:50 p.m. A 46-year-old passenger, identified as James Carter, died at the scene after the truck he was riding in veered off the road, struck several trees, and caught fire. The truck, a 2009 Chevy pickup, was traveling eastbound when the accident took place. The driver was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, but their medical condition has not been disclosed. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of this deadly crash.
In a separate incident, a 70-year-old man named Christopher Areheart succumbed to injuries following a single-vehicle accident on Nazareth Road. Areheart was driving northbound when his vehicle drifted off the road, struck a utility pole, and then collided with a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene, prompting further investigation by the Highway Patrol as they piece together the details of the crash.
Earlier on the same day, another fatal incident occurred on Old Dunbar Road around 4:50 p.m. A three-car crash claimed the life of the driver of a 2019 Honda SUV. This vehicle collided with a 2016 Nissan sedan and a 2019 Kia sedan. Despite being the only fatality in this crash, the driver of the Kia was taken to the hospital with injuries, while the Nissan’s driver emerged unharmed. The identities of the deceased and the injured individuals remain undisclosed pending notification of next of kin.
Additionally, on Tuesday before noon, a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 378/Sunset Boulevard involved a 70-year-old woman, Margie Hayden Cook, who was in a collision while exiting a parking lot. She was struck by a westbound vehicle and, despite wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was taken to the hospital for treatment. Following the incident, Sunset Boulevard was temporarily closed but has since reopened.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has shared alarming statistics, revealing that at least 158 people have died on state roads so far in 2025. Among these, seven fatalities have been reported in Lexington County alone, highlighting an urgent need for increased awareness and safety measures on local roadways.
All incidents are currently under investigation by respective traffic authorities and the coroner’s office. Residents are reminded to stay vigilant while driving and adhere to safety regulations to reduce the risk of accidents on the roads.
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Additional Resources
- WACH: One Dead, One Injured After Single Car Collision in Lexington County
- Wikipedia: Road Safety
- WLTX: Fatal Single Vehicle Crash on Nazareth Road
- Google Search: Lexington County Road Safety
- WIS TV: 1 Dead, 1 Injured After Multi-Car Crash in Lexington County
- Google Scholar: Traffic Safety Accidents
- The State: Fatal Traffic Accidents in Lexington County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- Lexington County Sheriff’s Office: Motorcycle Driver Dies After Crash
- Google News: Accidents in South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
