Lexington County, South Carolina, October 13, 2025
News Summary
Tragedy struck Lexington County as two separate car crashes resulted in the deaths of a 23-year-old driver and a 59-year-old pedestrian. Both incidents are under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, raising concerns about road safety in the area. This stark reminder highlights the importance of seatbelt use and pedestrian awareness, especially as road fatalities in South Carolina continue to rise.
Lexington County, South Carolina – Two separate car crashes on Friday resulted in the deaths of two individuals, marking a tragic day for the community. The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) is investigating both incidents.
In the first incident, which occurred around 2:45 p.m., a 23-year-old driver, Kaleb Isaiah Parrish from Chapin, was killed when his 2020 GMC pickup truck veered off Chapin Road, colliding with a tree. The Lexington County Coroner’s Office reported that Parrish was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries.
The second fatal crash took place later that night around 9:35 p.m. when a pedestrian, identified as 59-year-old Tonya Mayers Bowers, was struck by a 2023 Kia SUV on Mountain Drive near Chapin Road. Bowers was also pronounced dead at the scene by the Lexington County Coroner’s Office. The driver of the Kia, who remained unharmed, is under investigation by the SCHP as well.
Both crashes are still under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Lexington County Coroner’s Office.
According to the state Department of Public Safety, at least 689 people have died on South Carolina roads in 2024 alone. This continues a troubling trend, as there were a total of 1,030 deaths from car crashes across the state last year.
These incidents raise awareness about the ongoing issue of road safety in South Carolina, especially regarding the importance of wearing seat belts and looking out for pedestrians. As investigations into these crashes proceed, more information may be revealed about the contributing factors.
Key Statistics:
– Total deaths on South Carolina roads in 2024: 689
– Total deaths from car crashes in South Carolina in 2023: 1,030
With both crashes highlighting the potential dangers on the road, the community is reminded to prioritize safety measures while driving and walking in these areas.
FAQs
What happened in the car crashes on Friday in Lexington County?
Two separate car crashes resulted in the deaths of Kaleb Isaiah Parrish and Tonya Mayers Bowers. The first crash occurred at 2:45 p.m. when Parrish’s pickup truck collided with a tree, and the second crash involved Bowers being struck by a Kia SUV at 9:35 p.m.
Who were the victims of the crashes?
Kaleb Isaiah Parrish was a 23-year-old resident of Chapin, and Tonya Mayers Bowers was a 59-year-old resident of Chapin.
What have investigations revealed so far?
Both crashes are currently under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Lexington County Coroner’s Office. It has been reported that Parrish was not wearing a seatbelt during his crash.
How many fatalities have there been on South Carolina roads in 2024?
As of 2024, at least 689 people have died on South Carolina roads.
How do these incidents reflect on road safety in the state?
These incidents highlight ongoing road safety issues in South Carolina, emphasizing the importance of wearing seat belts and maintaining vigilance for pedestrians.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim – Kaleb Isaiah Parrish | Age: 23, Resident of Chapin, Died in truck crash, Not wearing seatbelt |
| Victim – Tonya Mayers Bowers | Age: 59, Resident of Chapin, Died in pedestrian crash |
| Total Road Fatalities in SC (2024) | 689 |
| Total Road Fatalities in SC (2023) | 1,030 |
| CIllision Time for Parrish | 2:45 PM |
| Collision Time for Bowers | 9:35 PM |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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School Bus Collision in Lexington County
Lexington County School Bus Rear-Ended with No Injuries
Accidents Involving Local Officials Raise Concerns in Columbia
Additional Resources
- WISTV: Pedestrian Killed After Crash
- The State: Traffic Incident Report
- WLTX: Chapin Pedestrian Fatal Crash
- AOL: Deadly Truck Accident
- WBTV: State Trooper Airlifted After Crash
- Wikipedia: Road Safety
- Google Search: Traffic Accidents in South Carolina
- Google Scholar: Road Safety Statistics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Car Accidents in the United States
- Google News: South Carolina Road Fatalities
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.
