News Summary
In a tragic incident in Lexington County, South Carolina, two young women, Claire Ann Pierce and Eliza Jane Udy, lost their lives due to a car crash involving a suspected drunk driver. The accident occurred at an intersection on Sunday night, resulting in immediate community mourning and calls for better road safety measures. Families of the victims are advocating for awareness against impaired driving as investigations continue into the incidents surrounding the crash, which highlights an ongoing problem with road safety and drunk driving.
Lexington County Community Mourning Following Fatal Crash
Two young women have died as a result of a car crash in Lexington County, South Carolina, which authorities have linked to a suspected drunk driver. The crash occurred on Sunday night at the intersection of Neely Wingard and Ben Franklin roads at approximately 9 p.m.
The victims have been identified as Claire Ann Pierce, 22, from Lexington, and Eliza Jane Udy, 21, from Leesville. Claire Pierce was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, while Eliza Udy succumbed to her injuries later at a nearby hospital. Both young women were passengers in a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, which had three occupants. The driver of the Malibu sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital.
The other vehicle involved in the incident, a 2019 Jeep Laredo, was driven by Able Ramirez-Ortega, 37, the only occupant of the Jeep, who also suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Ramirez-Ortega has since been charged with two felony DUI charges resulting in death, along with additional charges for driving without a license and driving with a suspended license.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol, along with the Lexington County Coroner’s Office, is conducting an ongoing investigation into the crash. Authorities have highlighted rising concerns about drunk driving as the incident coincides with upcoming holiday weekends that typically see an increase in impaired driving occurrences.
Victim Impact and Community Response
The tragic loss of Claire Pierce and Eliza Udy has left their families and the broader community in mourning. Families of the victims have expressed their heartbreak over the loss, emphasizing the lasting impact this tragedy will have on their lives. This incident has reignited calls for stronger measures against impaired driving from advocacy groups, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Claire’s father spoke about the dreams and milestones that will now never be realized with his daughter, while Eliza’s father described how his daughter was a source of inspiration and joy, missed by many. Both families are urging the community to reflect on the importance of safe driving practices to prevent further tragedies.
Rising Concerns Over Road Safety
This incident reflects a broader issue of road safety in Lexington County and South Carolina at large. According to highway statistics, South Carolina has recorded 291 deaths on its roads in 2025, and Lexington County alone has seen 15 fatalities this year. The recent crash is a poignant reminder of the ongoing dangers associated with drunk driving and the potential consequences of such irresponsible behavior.
As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with the loss of two promising young lives, serving as a somber call to action for heightened awareness and preventive measures against drunk driving. The family members of Claire Ann Pierce and Eliza Jane Udy hope to honor their memories by advocating for safer roads and improved driver responsibility in South Carolina.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: South Carolina DUI Crash
- The State: Lexington County Crash
- WIS: SCHP Driver Charged with DUI
- SW Lex Ledger: Coroner Identifies Victims
- FitsNews: Suspended Veterinarian Arrested Again
- Wikipedia: Drunk Driving
- Google Search: Lexington County Road Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Accident
- Google Scholar: Road Safety & Drunk Driving
- Google News: South Carolina Road 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.
