Lexington, South Carolina, September 11, 2025
News Summary
A tragic collision occurred on Sunset Boulevard in Lexington, resulting in the death of 70-year-old Margie Hayden Cook. The accident happened as she was exiting the parking lot of the Lexington Pavilion shopping center when her vehicle was struck. Despite wearing a seatbelt, Cook was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and has been hospitalized. This incident highlights increasing concerns about traffic safety in South Carolina as local authorities continue to investigate.
Lexington, South Carolina – A fatal collision on April 1, 2025, has claimed the life of a 70-year-old Pelion resident, Margie Hayden Cook. The incident occurred around noon in the 5100 block of Sunset Boulevard, directly in front of the Lexington Pavilion shopping center, marking a tragic event for the local community.
According to reports, Cook was attempting to pull out of the shopping center parking lot when her vehicle was struck by a westbound car traveling on Sunset Boulevard. Despite wearing her seatbelt at the time of the collision, Cook sustained severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident was taken to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, their injuries were reported as non-life-threatening, although their current condition remains unconfirmed. There were no additional injuries reported from this tragic collision.
Following the accident, all outbound lanes on Sunset Boulevard were temporarily closed. This led to significant traffic disruptions in the area, as local authorities set up a detour route through Corley Mill Road. The lanes were eventually reopened around 1:05 p.m. the same day, restoring normal traffic flow.
The Lexington Police Department (LPD) is actively investigating the accident, working in conjunction with the coroner’s office to gather more information surrounding the events that led to this unfortunate incident. Authorities have stated that updates regarding the investigation will be communicated as they become available.
This tragic event has raised concerns regarding traffic safety in South Carolina. Statistics from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) indicate that prior to this incident, a total of 158 fatalities had been reported on state roads in 2025 alone. Furthermore, in Lexington County, at least seven traffic-related deaths have been recorded since the start of the year. The increasing number of traffic fatalities echoes a worrying trend as the state saw a total of 948 traffic crash deaths in 2024.
Fatal Collision Summary
- Victim: Margie Hayden Cook, 70, from Pelion
- Date: April 1, 2025
- Location: 5100 block of Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC
- Incident: Collision while exiting parking lot
- Injuries: Driver of other vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries
- Traffic impact: Outbound lanes temporarily closed; detour set up
- Investigation: Ongoing by Lexington Police Department and coroner’s office
Context of Traffic Safety in South Carolina
Across South Carolina, traffic safety remains a growing concern. The data reflects an alarming increase in fatalities over recent years. With the recent surge of collisions leading to fatalities, experts stress the importance of road safety measures and community awareness campaigns to help reduce accidents.
As the investigation into this collision continues, the community is left to mourn the loss of Margie Hayden Cook. The impact of such tragedies is deeply felt across Lexington and its surrounding neighborhoods, prompting calls for action to enhance traffic safety on local roads.
FAQ Section
What happened in the fatal collision on Sunset Boulevard?
A collision occurred when Margie Hayden Cook was pulling out of the Lexington Pavilion shopping center parking lot and was struck by a westbound vehicle on Sunset Boulevard. Cook did not survive the accident.
Who was the victim in the collision?
The victim was Margie Hayden Cook, a 70-year-old resident of Pelion, South Carolina.
Were there any injuries reported?
The driver of the other vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital. No other injuries were reported.
What happened to traffic on Sunset Boulevard after the collision?
All outbound lanes on Sunset Boulevard were temporarily closed following the accident, causing significant traffic disruption. Lanes were reopened around 1:05 p.m.
How many traffic fatalities have occurred in South Carolina this year?
As of April 1, 2025, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported 158 traffic-related fatalities for the year.
Traffic Safety Statistics
| Year | Total Traffic Fatalities in SC | Lexington County Fatalities in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 948 | 7 (in 2025 so far) |
| 2025 (up to April 1) | 158 | 7 |
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Lanes reopen on Sunset Boulevard after fatal collision
- The State: Traffic Update on Sunset Boulevard Collision
- WLTX: 1 Dead in Sunset Boulevard Collision in Lexington
- WACH: Collision on Sunset Boulevard Blocks Lanes
- KHQ: Fatal Collision Closes Sunset Blvd
- Wikipedia: Traffic Safety
- Google Search: South Carolina traffic fatalities
- Google Scholar: Traffic Safety South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Safety
- Google News: Traffic Safety 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.
