SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A 47-year-old Cowpens man was killed Friday morning when his bicycle was struck by a truck on Highway 29, marking another tragic incident in South Carolina’s growing roadway safety crisis. The collision occurred just before 6 a.m. near Cherry Hill Road, where both vehicles had been traveling northbound before the fatal impact.
The victim, identified as Toby Dean Mabry, sustained catastrophic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office confirmed Mabry’s identity while the South Carolina Highway Patrol continued their investigation. The truck driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with authorities, though no charges have been filed pending the ongoing probe.
This tragedy underscores the persistent dangers cyclists face on roadways designed primarily for motor vehicles. Highway 29, a known commuter route with narrow shoulders, has seen multiple accidents involving vulnerable road users in recent years. Local cycling advocates immediately called for improved infrastructure following Mabry’s death.
“Toby was just trying to get where he needed to go,” said a neighbor who asked to remain anonymous. Community members described Mabry as a familiar figure often seen biking through the area, highlighting how his daily routine ended in catastrophe. The incident has reignited debates about road sharing policies in the Upstate region.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports that cyclist fatalities have increased 22% statewide since 2020, with poor lighting, distracted driving, and inadequate bike lanes contributing to the rise. Mabry’s death occurred during the dangerous pre-dawn hours when visibility is particularly limited.
As investigators work to reconstruct the collision, local officials are facing renewed pressure to implement safety measures like protected bike lanes and enhanced lighting. A makeshift memorial now marks the crash site, with flowers and a bicycle wheel serving as sobering reminders of the human cost of inadequate infrastructure. The Highway Patrol urges all road users to exercise extreme caution, especially during low-light conditions.