Current:Home > Invest'It was just awful': 66-year-old woman fatally struck by police truck on South Carolina beach-InfoLens
'It was just awful': 66-year-old woman fatally struck by police truck on South Carolina beach
View Date:2024-12-23 19:02:16
A state investigation is underway after a police officer fatally struck a woman while driving a truck on a crowded beach in South Carolina Thursday afternoon.
According to the Horry County Police Department, the crash took place at the Nash Street Public Beach Access, just north of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.
“What occurred on the beach yesterday was a tragedy and we know our community is hurting," the department posted on Facebook Friday. "Our hearts are with all those impacted by this loss."
The coroner identified the victim as Sandra "Sandy" Schultz-Peters, 66, of Myrtle Beach.
In a release, police said the South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the fatal crash.
Emergency plane landing:8-year-old girl dies after medical emergency on SkyWest Airlines flight to Chicago
'The most powerful scream'
State police Lance Corporal Lena Butler told USA TODAY the fatal collision involving a 2020 Ford Ranger pickup truck took place at 1:07 p.m. on private property.
The driver was traveling north onto private property and the pedestrian was facing east when the truck struck her, Butler said.
"I heard her scream, nothing before that," beachgoer Amanda Bilodeau told USA TODAY on Friday. "I turned around instantly and it had already happened... it was just awful."
Bilodeau, 31, said everyone immediately rushed to lift the truck off of the woman.
"After that I stepped back to get out of the way to let professionals do their job with space," she said. "And everyone just prayed for her."
Another beachgoer, Dennis Miller, told WMBF-TV he was one of the bystanders who tried to help.
“She was pinned underneath the vehicle, so a bunch of men, we came over, we did our best to lift the car up off of her," Miller recalled to the outlet.
The driver of the truck, a police officer, was not injured, Butler said.
The victim, the trooper reported, was transported to a local hospital where she died from her injuries.
6 children charged in teen's homicide:Georgia minors charged in 15-year-old boy's drowning death
The police department also said an internal investigation regarding the crash will be conducted.
Police reported the officer involved was placed on routine administrative leave.
'I will miss her tremendously'
Following news of the Schultz-Peters' death, Facebook users expressed grief regarding her passing.
"We lost this wonderful person yesterday and a tragic accident. I will miss her tremendously and hope that she has been reunited with her beloved fur babies," an apparent friend of the victim posted on Facebook. "Rest in Peace Sandy Schultz-Peters."
"My heat hurts," one Facebook user posted in the comment section.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (849)
Related
- Can I take on 2 separate jobs in the same company? Ask HR
- LeBron James, Anthony Edwards among NBA stars in ‘Starting 5’ Netflix series
- Searchers find a missing plane and human remains in Michigan’s Lake Huron after 17 years
- Questions about the safety of Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ system are growing
- Five best fits for Alex Bregman: Will Astros homegrown star leave as free agent?
- Hard Knocks recap: Velus Jones Jr., Ian Wheeler, Austin Reed get one last chance to impress Bears
- 'Beloved' father who was clearing storm drains identified as victim of Alaska landslide
- Peloton's former billionaire CEO says he 'lost all my money' when he left exercise company
- Tech consultant testifies that ‘bad joke’ led to deadly clash with Cash App founder Bob Lee
- 'Who steals trees?': Video shows man casually stealing trees from front yards in Houston
Ranking
- Judge weighs the merits of a lawsuit alleging ‘Real Housewives’ creators abused a cast member
- Court revives Sarah Palin’s libel lawsuit against The New York Times
- Nick Cannon and Brittany Bell's Advanced Son Golden Is Starting 4th Grade at 7 Years Old
- Ludacris’ gulp of untreated Alaska glacier melt was totally fine, scientist says
- Shocked South Carolina woman walks into bathroom only to find python behind toilet
- Walmart's 2024 Labor Day Mega Sale: Score a $65 Mattress + Save Up to 78% on Apple, Bissell, Dyson & More
- Slow down! Michigan mom's texts to son may come back to haunt her
- 80-year-old man dies after falling off boat on the Grand Canyon's Colorado River
Recommendation
-
Ariana Grande Shares Dad's Emotional Reaction to Using His Last Name in Wicked Credits
-
What is a returnship and how can it help me reenter the workforce? Ask HR
-
Simone Biles Poses With All 11 of Her Olympic Medals in Winning Photos
-
Megan Thee Stallion hosts, Taylor Swift dominates: Here’s what to know about the 2024 MTV VMAs
-
Jessica Simpson's Husband Eric Johnson Steps Out Ringless Amid Split Speculation
-
Walmart's 2024 Labor Day Mega Sale: Score a $65 Mattress + Save Up to 78% on Apple, Bissell, Dyson & More
-
Walmart's prices lowered on thousands of items except in this 'stubborn' food aisle
-
'Beloved' father who was clearing storm drains identified as victim of Alaska landslide
Like
- Judge sets date for 9/11 defendants to enter pleas, deepening battle over court’s independence
- It’s a tough time for college presidents, but Tania Tetlow thrives as a trailblazer at Fordham
- In Final Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, BLM Sticks With Conservation Priorities, Renewable Energy Development