 The character 's focal storyline involved a romantic relationship with plastic surgeon Mark Sloan ( Eric Dane ) . She sustained life @-@ threatening injuries after an aviation accident , in the eighth season finale , which ultimately ended in her death . The character 's death resulted in mixed critical feedback and the reason given for the departure was Leigh 's desire to spend more time with her family . Rhimes has characterized Lexie as being a dork , as well as having issues with saying how she feels . Leigh has been moderately well received by critics , and was among the cast to receive a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2007 . 
