News Summary
A heartbreaking incident occurred in Lexington County on Sunday night when two young women lost their lives in a DUI crash at an intersection. Claire Ann Pierce, 22, and Eliza Jane Udy, 21, were passengers in a car that was struck by a Jeep. The driver of the Jeep has been arrested and faces felony charges for driving under the influence. Families of the victims are calling for action against impaired driving as the community grapples with rising road safety concerns.
Lexington County
Two young women lost their lives in a tragic DUI crash at an intersection in Lexington County on Sunday night, May 19, 2025. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. at the crossroads of Neely Wingard Road and Ben Franklin Road, devastating families and the local community.
The victims have been identified as Claire Ann Pierce, 22, a resident of Lexington, and Eliza Jane Udy, 21, from Leesville. Both women were passengers in a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu that was struck by a 2019 Jeep Laredo while traveling south on Ben Franklin Road. The Jeep was heading east at the time of the collision.
Claire Pierce died at the scene of the accident, while Eliza Udy was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead due to her injuries. The Chevrolet Malibu carried a third occupant, while the driver of that vehicle, as well as the driver of the Jeep, managed to sustain injuries that were later deemed non-life-threatening.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash site, and they have not yet confirmed whether seat belts were worn by the victims at the time of the collision. The suspected driver of the Jeep, identified as Able Ramirez-Ortega, 37, from West Columbia, has been arrested and is facing two felony charges of driving under the influence (DUI). He is currently in custody.
This latest incident is part of a growing concern regarding road safety in South Carolina. Already in 2025, a total of 291 fatalities have been reported on state roads, with at least 15 deaths occurring in crashes within Lexington County. The grim statistics underline the urgent need for intervention regarding impaired driving.
Families of the deceased women have expressed their heartbreak and loss, calling on community leaders and lawmakers to take action against impaired driving. Their messages emphasize that incidents like this are preventable, urging the community to remain vigilant about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and other advocacy groups have reiterated the essential message of planning for safe transportation after consuming alcohol. Community members are reminded that having a designated driver or utilizing rideshare services can effectively reduce the risk of tragedy on the roads.
As investigations continue into this recent crash, the Lexington County community is faced with the painful reminder of the far-reaching impact of impaired driving and the need for ongoing education and prevention efforts to enhance road safety.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Lexington County Community Mourns After Fatal Crash
Tragic Car Crash Claims Lives of Two Young Women in Lexington County
West Columbia Man Arrested After Fatal Crash
Tragic DUI Collision Claims Two Lives in Lexington County
Tragic School Bus Crash in Chester County Claims Young Life
School Board Member Arrested for Driving Under the Influence
Lexington-Richland 5 School Board Member Arrested for DUI
Community Comes Together in Mourning after Tragic Crash
Tragic Car Crash in Little River Claims One Life
Tragic Spate of Fatal Crashes in South Carolina
Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: Driving Under the Influence
- WLTX
- Google Search: South Carolina DUI accidents
- Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
- Google Scholar: Road safety South Carolina
- WACH
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- FitsNews
- Google News: Lexington County car crashes
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.
