News Summary
A devastating two-vehicle crash in Lexington County resulted in the deaths of two passengers and several injuries. The collision, which occurred at a key intersection, is under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The victims, Claire Ann Pierce and Eliza Jane Udy, were in a Chevrolet Malibu that collided with a Jeep Laredo. Local authorities are emphasizing road safety amidst rising traffic fatalities in the area.
Lexington County, South Carolina – A tragic two-vehicle crash occurred on Sunday night, May 18, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two passengers and leaving several others injured. The incident has prompted an investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP).
The collision took place at approximately 8:58 p.m. at the intersection of Neely Wingard Road and Ben Franklin Road. A 2019 Jeep Laredo was traveling east on Ben Franklin Road, while a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu was heading south on Neely Wingard Road when the two vehicles collided.
Sadly, the crash claimed the lives of two passengers in the Chevrolet Malibu. The deceased individuals have been identified as 22-year-old Claire Ann Pierce of Lexington and 21-year-old Eliza Jane Udy of Leesville. Claire Pierce was pronounced dead at the scene, while Eliza Udy was critically injured and transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu and the driver of the Jeep Laredo also sustained injuries but are reported to have non-life-threatening conditions. The Jeep Laredo had only one occupant, while the Malibu was carrying three passengers at the time of the crash.
The accident occurred roughly eight miles east of Batesburg-Leesville, raising concerns among local authorities regarding traffic safety in the area. Investigators from the SCHP, along with the Lexington County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol MAIT, are working diligently to determine the cause of the collision. As of now, there is no information available regarding whether the seat belts were utilized by the vehicle occupants at the time of the incident.
This incident is part of a concerning trend in South Carolina, where, as of May 2025, the total number of traffic fatalities has reached at least 278. The SCHP has emphasized the importance of road safety and the continued investigation aims to uncover details that may help prevent future tragedies.
The local community is mourning the loss of Claire Pierce and Eliza Udy, as family and friends reflect on their lives and the devastating impact of the accident. Authorities continue to urge drivers to exercise caution while on the roads, emphasizing safe driving practices as critical to reducing the increasing rate of traffic fatalities.
As the investigation continues, more updates are expected from the authorities involved to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX News
- Wikipedia: Traffic collision
- WISTV News
- Google Search: Lexington County traffic accidents
- The State News
- Google Scholar: traffic safety South Carolina
- WACH News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Motor vehicle
- WISTV Coroner Report
- Google News: Lexington County crash May 2025
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.
