Lexington County, September 12, 2025
News Summary
A South Carolina state trooper was injured during a multi-vehicle collision while conducting a traffic stop on Highway 1 in Lexington County. The incident occurred in the morning, leading to the arrest of Jerrod Ricks, 23, who faces reckless driving charges. The trooper, Wayne LaBounty, was airlifted to a hospital but is now in stable condition. This marks a troubling trend of injuries to state troopers in recent weeks, emphasizing the dangers they face on the job.
Lexington County, South Carolina
A South Carolina state trooper was injured on the morning of September 9, when a multi-vehicle collision occurred during a traffic stop on Highway 1. The incident led to the arrest of 23-year-old Jerrod Ricks, who now faces charges of reckless driving and endangering emergency services personnel.
The collision happened at approximately 7 a.m., near the junction of Augusta Road and Lost Branch Road in Lexington County. Master Trooper Wayne LaBounty was conducting a traffic stop when the accident transpired. At the time, a Lexington County Sheriff’s Department vehicle had slowed down to check on LaBounty. Unfortunately, a vehicle traveling in the same lane failed to stop in time, resulting in a chain-reaction collision involving the sheriff’s vehicle, LaBounty’s stopped vehicle, and another unrelated vehicle.
Trooper LaBounty, a 40-year veteran of law enforcement, was struck by a vehicle while standing outside of his patrol car. He was airlifted to Prisma Health Richland Hospital for treatment. Initially placed in serious condition, his health status was later upgraded to stable.
In the aftermath of the incident, Ricks was taken to the Lexington County Detention Center, where he is currently awaiting a bond hearing. This incident marks the third instance of a South Carolina state trooper being injured due to vehicle collisions within a month. Notably, two other troopers were involved in separate accidents during August and September, one of whom, Trooper First Class Dennis Ricks, tragically lost his life after being struck on Interstate 95.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is in charge of the ongoing investigation concerning the collision, with additional involvement from both the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. In response to the incident, Serve & Connect, a nonprofit organization, has initiated a fundraiser aimed at aiding Trooper LaBounty in his recovery efforts.
Key Details
- Incident Date: September 9, 2023
- Location: Highway 1, Lexington County
- Injured Officer: Master Trooper Wayne LaBounty
- Suspect: Jerrod Ricks, 23
- Charges: Reckless driving, endangering emergency services personnel
- Health Status of Trooper LaBounty: Stable
- Investigation Lead: Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Background Context
This unfortunate incident emphasizes the dangers law enforcement officers face. The frequency of injuries to state troopers has raised concerns among law enforcement agencies and communities, given that this marks the third time a trooper has been injured in recent weeks. It serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with traffic stops and interactions with the public.
Conclusion
The Lexington County area is rallying around Trooper LaBounty as he begins his recovery process, highlighting community support for law enforcement personnel who face risks daily while serving the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the traffic stop?
A state trooper was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop, leading to multiple vehicles being involved in a collision.
Who is Jerrod Ricks?
Jerrod Ricks is a 23-year-old man arrested and charged in connection with the collision during the traffic stop.
What are the charges against Ricks?
Ricks faces charges for reckless driving and endangering emergency services personnel.
How is Trooper LaBounty’s health?
Trooper LaBounty was initially in serious condition but has since been upgraded to stable following medical treatment.
Which organization is helping Trooper LaBounty?
Serve & Connect, a nonprofit organization, has created a fundraiser to support Trooper LaBounty’s recovery efforts.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Serious Incident Involving Trooper in Lexington County
South Carolina Trooper Seriously Injured in Traffic Stop
Trooper in Serious Condition After Multi-Vehicle Collision
Additional Resources
- ABC Columbia
- Wikipedia: South Carolina State Troopers
- WIS TV
- Google Search: South Carolina State Troopers injuries
- WBTV
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police
- WPDE
- Google News: traffic stops in South Carolina
- WACH
- Google Scholar: Law enforcement traffic stop safety
- The State
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.
