PICKENS COUNTY, SC — A 30-year-old woman from Florida was tragically killed early Thursday morning after being struck by multiple vehicles on Highway 123 near Easley. Authorities have identified the victim as Desirae May Cote, a resident of St. Petersburg, who died at the scene after being hit by at least two vehicles, one of which fled the scene.
The incident occurred around 4 a.m. near Grace Drive, a heavily traveled stretch of Highway 123. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Cote was first hit by a Ford pickup truck traveling southbound. Shortly after, a second, unidentified vehicle also struck her. That vehicle did not stop, and authorities are now working to locate the driver responsible for leaving the scene.
The Pickens County Coroner’s Office confirmed Cote’s identity later that day and announced that an autopsy is scheduled to determine her exact cause of death. Investigators have not released information on what Cote was doing on the roadway or whether she was walking along the shoulder or attempting to cross the highway at the time of the crash.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Pickens County Coroner’s Office are continuing their investigation and are asking the public for help identifying the second vehicle involved. No description of the vehicle has been released so far, and officials have not indicated whether any nearby security or traffic cameras may have captured footage that could assist the case.
Highway 123 was likely closed temporarily Thursday morning as emergency crews worked at the scene and gathered evidence. The area where the crash happened sees frequent traffic, even during early morning hours, making the risk for such incidents higher, especially when visibility is limited.
The death of Desirae May Cote has deeply saddened her family and friends in both South Carolina and Florida. As loved ones mourn her unexpected and violent loss, authorities continue to stress the importance of driver accountability. Officials are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or seen a suspicious vehicle in the area at the time to come forward. The investigation remains active, and law enforcement hopes to bring answers and justice for Cote and her grieving family.