Weather for the Following Location: Lexington on Map

Tragic Road Accident Takes Lives of High School Senior and Retired Fireman Near Lexington

Motorcycle near mail box

Tragic Accident Near Lexington Claims Lives of High School Senior, Retired Fireman

James Leonard Ely III, a 17-year-old senior at White Knoll high school, and retired fireman Kevin Scott Collins, 63, lost their lives in a road accident near Lexington, South Carolina. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Kyzer Road.

The Incident

According to Margaret Fisher, the Lexington County Coroner, Collins had been crossing the road after checking his mailbox when he was struck by Ely, who was traveling west on a motorcycle. Both individuals succumbed to their injuries on the scene. Ely was wearing a helmet at the incident but failed to survive his injuries.

A passenger riding with Ely on the motorcycle was injured but survived, sustaining minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Community in Grief

White Knoll High School and the larger Lexington community are rallying to support the Ely family, as well as the grieving students and staff. In a statement, school officials detailed plans for grief counseling support and extra care for students and faculty.

Residents of the quiet neighborhood where Collins lived expressed their shock and sadness over the sudden loss. “By God, a grown person going to check his mail that’s all he was doing”, shared Kenny Miles, a neighbor.

Another neighborhood resident, Chris Harrington, was deeply upset by the tragedy, “It’s unfortunate, they both had to end in such a tragic way. A young child, 17 years old that should not happen to him, nor should it happen to a gentlemen that is in his retirement, it’s sad either way.”

Investigations Underway

The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Lexington County Coroner are currently investigating the incident. As the community copes with this tragic event, the emphasis now is on ensuring the well-being of students and family members.

Road safety awareness and appropriate precautionary measures are being reinforced in light of this incident to prevent repeat accidents from occurring in the future.


HERE Lexington
Author: HERE Lexington

Leave a Reply

SUBMIT YOUR BUSINESS

Recent Posts

Featured Business

Business Spotlight: Four Oaks Farm

There are four large oak trees growing in the front yard of the Mathias family home, about a hundred yards or so behind the Four Oaks Farm Country Store. These four trees are the namesake of our family-owned business which, just like the trees, has stood the test of time and weathered the storms of change for nearly 85 years now.

Read More »

Featured Neighborhood

Neighborhood Spotlight: Governors Grant

Governors Grant, a Lexington, SC neighborhood, is located just off Old Chapin Road near the intersection of Old Chapin and Old Cherokee Road. Governors Grant homes range in price from the low $300’s to $700’s and offer homes from 2,400 square feet to more than 6,000 square feet.

Read More »

Sign up for our Newsletter