Leesville woman dies in horrific crash near Pelion

Pelion, SC – A traffic crash involving a Ford SUV and a tractor trailer truck killed a Leesville woman Thursday evening just at dusk near the town of Pelion. The accident happened on Fairview Rd. (Hwy 178) just north of the town between Water Tank and Bub Shumpert Roads close to the W.P. Rawl packing shed and farm headquarters.

According to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher, Brenda Dodgens, age 62, died after her SUV, traveling east towards Pelion, crossed the center line and struck truck head-on. Dodgens was trapped in the wreckage of her car and firefighters had to extricate her. She was pronounced dead on the scene as a result of injuries she received in the wreck.

Lance Cpl. Matt Southern said the driver of both the tractor-trailer and Dodgen were wearing their seat belts. The driver of the truck was not injured.

The SC Highway Patrol's MAIT Team had Fairview Road closed most of the remainder of the night as they were investigating the cause of the crash.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday to determine Dodgens' cause of death.