Pedestrian Killed on Deans Bridge Road in Early Morning Crash: Xavion Wimberly, 23, Identified as Victim
AUGUSTA, Ga. — A tragic accident in the early hours of Sunday morning claimed the life of a young man from Hephzibah. Xavion Wimberly, 23, was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing Deans Bridge Road near Suz Lounge around 3 a.m., leaving the community in mourning and prompting an ongoing investigation by local authorities.
According to preliminary reports, emergency responders arrived on the scene shortly after the incident was reported. Upon arrival, they found Wimberly lying unresponsive in the roadway. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the scene due to the severity of his injuries.
Witnesses in the area reported seeing a vehicle flee the scene following the collision. However, law enforcement officials later located both the driver and the vehicle involved not far from the crash site. Details about the driver, including their identity and whether charges are expected, have not been released as the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Xavion Wimberly’s death has sent shockwaves through the Hephzibah and Augusta communities. Described by friends and family as kind-hearted, vibrant, and full of promise, his sudden and tragic passing has left loved ones devastated. Social media has since become a platform for an outpouring of grief, as friends post tributes and share memories of the 23-year-old who had so much ahead of him.
Deans Bridge Road, a major thoroughfare in Augusta, has been the site of several pedestrian-related incidents in recent years, raising renewed concerns about safety conditions along the stretch, especially during nighttime and early morning hours. With limited lighting and high-speed traffic, crossing the road can be dangerous for pedestrians, particularly near popular late-night venues such as Suz Lounge.
Local advocacy groups are calling on city officials to address safety infrastructure on Deans Bridge Road, including the need for improved crosswalks, better lighting, and increased enforcement of speed limits and pedestrian right-of-way laws. This latest tragedy adds urgency to the calls for action aimed at preventing further loss of life.
Meanwhile, investigators are working to reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. Authorities are asking any witnesses or individuals with relevant information, including surveillance footage from nearby businesses, to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
As the community processes this heartbreaking event, arrangements are expected to be announced soon for a vigil or memorial in Xavion Wimberly’s honor. His family is receiving support from relatives, friends, and community members as they navigate this unimaginable loss.
Anyone with information related to the crash is encouraged to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Division.
This tragic event serves as a painful reminder of the importance of roadway awareness — for both drivers and pedestrians — and the critical need for communities to invest in safer urban design. Xavion Wimberly’s life, filled with potential, was cut short far too soon, and he will be remembered by all who knew him.
