Lexington, August 14, 2025
News Summary
A tragic car accident in Lexington, South Carolina, resulted in the death of a 70-year-old woman when her vehicle was struck while pulling out of a parking lot. Despite wearing a seat belt, the victim succumbed to her injuries. The other driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and traffic in the area was temporarily affected as authorities conducted an investigation. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in high-traffic areas.
Fatal Collision on Sunset Boulevard in Lexington Claims Life of 70-Year-Old Woman
A tragic car accident in Lexington, South Carolina, resulted in the death of a 70-year-old woman on April 1, 2025. The accident occurred just before noon in the 5100 block of U.S. 378/Sunset Boulevard, specifically in front of the Lexington Pavilion shopping center that houses major retailers like Target and Best Buy.
The victim, identified as Margie Hayden Cook, a resident of Pelion, was pulling out of a parking lot when her vehicle was struck by another vehicle traveling west on Sunset Boulevard. Despite wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lexington County Coroner, Margaret Fisher.
The driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was subsequently transported to a local hospital. Information regarding this driver’s seat belt use was not available. Fortunately, no other individuals were reported injured in this incident.
In response to the crash, the Lexington Police Department established a detour using Corley Mill Road to facilitate traffic flow as Sunset Boulevard was temporarily blocked. All lanes of Sunset Boulevard were reopened by approximately 1:05 p.m. the same day. The incident is currently under investigation by officials from both the Lexington Police Department and the coroner’s office.
Traffic Safety Concerns
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported that there have been 158 fatalities on state roads in 2025, highlighting a concerning trend in traffic safety. Previous statistics indicate that a total of 948 deaths occurred on South Carolina roads in 2024.
This year, at least seven fatalities from traffic accidents have been recorded in Lexington County alone. In contrast, the county experienced 50 traffic-related deaths throughout 2024. The area around Sunset Boulevard is notorious for high traffic volumes, with over 50,000 vehicles reported to travel through the area each day.
Future Road Improvements
To address increasing traffic concerns and enhance safety, transportation officials are advancing a major improvement project known as the “Sunset Split.” This project aims to restructure the intersection of Corley Mill Road and Sunset Boulevard, where statistics show that between 2022 and 2024, a total of 88 crashes occurred, with many incidents taking place during lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Final acquisition stages for the parcels needed for this road project are currently ongoing, with the construction phase expected to conclude by 2027. The aim of this project is to reduce the frequency of accidents and enhance overall road safety in the area, although the recent fatal accident underscores the urgency of these improvements.
Conclusion
The fatal collision involving Margie Hayden Cook serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges of road safety. As investigations into the accident continue, authorities emphasize the importance of driving safely and staying vigilant on the roads, particularly in highly trafficked areas such as Sunset Boulevard.
FAQs
What happened in the Lexington car accident?
A collision occurred on Sunset Boulevard resulting in the death of a 70-year-old woman, Margie Hayden Cook, when her vehicle was struck while pulling out of a parking lot.
When did the accident take place?
The accident happened just before noon on April 1, 2025.
What were the circumstances surrounding the accident?
Margie Hayden Cook was pulling out of a parking lot at the Lexington Pavilion when her vehicle was struck by another vehicle on Sunset Boulevard.
What were the injuries reported?
The driver of the other vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while Cook died at the scene.
Are there any ongoing investigations regarding this incident?
Yes, the Lexington Police Department and the coroner’s office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Accident | April 1, 2025 |
| Location | 5100 block of U.S. 378/Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC |
| Victim | Margie Hayden Cook, 70, Pelion, SC |
| Circumstances | Cook’s vehicle was struck while pulling out of a parking lot |
| Injuries | Non-life-threatening injuries to another driver; Cook deceased at the scene |
| Traffic Volume | Over 50,000 vehicles per day on Sunset Boulevard |
| Ongoing Investigations | Lexington Police and coroner’s office are investigating the incident |
| Road Improvement Plans | Sunset Split project to enhance road safety, construction expected by 2027 |
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Additional Resources
- ABC Columbia: Traffic on Sunset Blvd Diverted After Fatal Collision
- WLTX: Crash Shuts Down Corley Mill Road in Lexington
- WIS TV: Sunset Blvd in Lexington Shut Down Due to Collision
- Google Search: Traffic Safety in South Carolina
- 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.
