News Summary
In West Columbia, SC, 26-year-old Tyrese Antwan Thomas tragically lost his life in a two-vehicle collision on Interstate 20. In a separate incident, 48-year-old Terry Wainwright Mitchell Jr. died in a single-vehicle crash on the same day. Both cases are under investigation as safety concerns on local roads grow.
West Columbia Man Killed in Two Separate Vehicle Accidents in Lexington County
West Columbia, SC – Tyrese Antwan Thomas, 26, from West Columbia, was identified as the victim of a fatal two-vehicle collision that occurred on May 12, 2025. The accident took place near the 39 mile-marker of Interstate 20 eastbound, in the Samaria and Fairview area of Lexington County.
According to officials, Thomas was traveling westbound on I-20 when he entered into the eastbound lanes and collided with a tractor trailer heading in the opposite direction. Despite wearing a seatbelt, Thomas sustained severe injuries from the crash. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. The driver of the tractor trailer was also transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
An ongoing investigation into this fatal accident is being conducted by the Lexington County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The details surrounding the circumstances of the crash are still being examined.
Separate Incident Claims Another Life
In a separate incident on the same day, 48-year-old Terry Wainwright Mitchell Jr., also from West Columbia, lost his life in a single-vehicle crash. This incident occurred on the 2500 block of Charleston Highway when Mitchell’s vehicle veered off the right side of the road and struck a utility pole.
Mitchell was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators from the City of Cayce Police Department and the Lexington County Coroner’s Office are probing into the details of this crash.
The Broader Picture
Both incidents highlight ongoing safety concerns on the roads and highways of Lexington County. Authorities are emphasizing the importance of wearing seatbelts and adhering to traffic safety regulations to prevent such tragedies. With increasing vehicular traffic in the area, officials are urging drivers to remain vigilant and responsible while on the roads.
As investigations continue, the community is left to mourn the loss of two young lives due to preventable accidents. Local law enforcement in partnership with government agencies are focusing efforts on improving road safety to ensure such incidents do not become a recurring problem in the Lexington County area.
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Additional Resources
- Cola Daily: West Columbia Man Killed in Charleston Highway Crash
- The State: News Article
- ABC Columbia: Lexington Co. Coroner Identifies Fatal Accident Victim
- Lexington Chronicle: West Columbia High School Student Dies in Car Wreck
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
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.
