A summer night on Lake Greenwood turned tragic when a violent boat crash claimed the lives of two young Clemson University graduates, Abby Davis and Thomas Davis.
The devastating incident has sent shockwaves through the community and reignited urgent conversations about the dangers of boating under the influence.
Abby Katherine Davis and Thomas Chandler Davis, both 23, were killed early Sunday morning, July 6, 2025, after their boat was struck from behind and run over by another vessel operated by a reportedly intoxicated driver.
The Laurens County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the couple died from blunt-force trauma.
Authorities say the crash occurred around 1:42 a.m., when a Yamaha boat carrying two individuals and traveling without lights slammed into an Alumacraft boat occupied by five young adults.
Abby and Chandler were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other passengers were injured and taken to a nearby hospital.
Abby And Thomas Davis Had A Promising Future Cut Short
Abby and Chandler were not just recent graduates of Clemson; they were high school sweethearts and beloved members of their communities.
Both earned their degrees in August 2024 and had already begun to carve out meaningful paths in life.
Abby, who graduated with a degree in Graphic Communications, worked full-time at eMediaGroup, Inc., where she served as an Endurance Sports Representative and Media Manager.
Known for her vibrant personality and adventurous spirit, Abby had a passion for travel, music, and social media marketing.
Her dog, Motley, was her constant companion, and her joyful presence left an imprint on everyone she met.
Her family shared,
“She never met a stranger. Abby’s warmth, humor, and generous heart were simply unforgettable.”
Chandler, remembered by friends and family for his quiet strength and support, had a close-knit relationship with Abby that was admired by many.
Together, the two were described as “inseparable,” with a future full of promise and potential ahead of them.
Born on March 13, 2002, Abby was a member of Laurens First Baptist Church, where she found faith and a sense of community.
Her memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, July 10, at 2:00 PM, at the church, led by Rev. Adair Rogers.
She is survived by her parents, Jennifer and Greg Davis; her sisters, Kela Dunlap (Barrie) and Kaitlin Evans (Dalton).
Abby was especially close to her cousins, Eva and Grady Madden, with whom she shared a sibling-like bond.
The Culprit Has Been Arrested And Charged
The driver of the Yamaha boat, 37-year-old Allen Sidney Benware Jr. III, has been charged with two counts of felony boating under the influence leading to death and one count of breaking watercraft regulations.
Authorities stated Benware’s vessel had no running lights and struck the couple’s boat with such force that it ran over it entirely. Benware was denied bond on Monday.
Laurens County Coroner Patti Canupp was blunt in her assessment of the tragedy.
She said,
“Alcohol makes bad decisions. These two children had their entire lives ahead of them. Their deaths were 100% preventable.”
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol remains the leading cause of fatal boating accidents in the country.
In 2024 alone, 92 people died nationwide in alcohol-related boating crashes.
