An off-duty Aiken County Sheriff's Office deputy has died after being involved in a single vehicle motorcycle accident Wednesday night.
Deputy Kesli Payton Padgett, 25, was located by first responders around 9:20 p.m. Wednesday night. She was found in a wooded area at the intersection of Pine Log Road and Huber Clay Road, according to a release from the Sheriff's Office.
The Aiken County Sheriff's Office reported that deputies and first responders started searching for her in the Warrenville area after she was reported missing around 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release.
"The deputy was involved in what appears to be a single vehicle motorcycle accident and was pronounced dead at the scene. The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Aiken County Coroner’s Office are working the accident," the release said.
Padgett has been with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office for two years, where she began her career in law enforcement in June 2015.
"Sheriff (Michael) Hunt is asking for the community to keep the family and the members of the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office in their thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time," according to the release.
"I want to thank everyone who assisted with this incident involving Deputy Padgett," Hunt said in a news release Thursday. "We are grateful for the numerous calls and well wishes that we have received for her family and the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office. Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins with the S.C. Highway Patrol said in an early morning voice recording that the victim was driving a 2009 Honda motorcycle and was traveling south on Pine Log Road. Collins said the driver lost control of the motorcycle, left the right side of the roadway and wrecked.
Padgett was wearing a helmet, Collins said.
The traffic accident is being investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and any inquiries about the accident should be directed to them.
