A tragic incident occurred on a South Carolina beach where a police vehicle fatally struck a 66-year-old woman.
The fatal collision involving Sandra Schultz-Peters and a Myrtle Beach police officer took place on Thursday afternoon, ABC News reported.
The accident happened just after 1 PM at the Nash Street beach access point. Sandra Schultz-Peters, whom residents knew as "Sandy," was hit by a Ford Ranger pickup truck operated by a Myrtle Beach police officer while facing east toward the ocean.
The officer, who wasn't injured, is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. Comprehensive inquiries by the highway patrol and an internal police review aim to clarify the specifics of the incident.
Amid the accident, bystanders, including local Dennis Miller, rushed to aid Schultz-Peters. According to Miller, several men attempted to lift the police truck off her after she became pinned beneath it.
Lance Cpl. Lena Butler, a highway patrol officer, reported, "The injured person was taken to Grand Strand Medical Center, where they died from their injuries." This bleak outcome has cast a shadow over the community and prompted questions about safety and accountability on public beaches.
The death of Schultz-Peters was confirmed by the Grand Strand Medical Center later on Thursday. The identification and details of the incident were formally announced by the Horry County Coroner’s Office on Friday afternoon.
The Horry County Police Department expressed their condolences and concern following the incident. They emphasized both their empathy for the community's grief and their commitment to determining the facts surrounding the event.
Remarks from the Horry County Police Department conveyed a tone of mourning and introspection. "What occurred on the beach yesterday was a tragedy, and we know our community is hurting. Our hearts are with all those impacted by this loss. We also know our engine has questions. We do too.” This statement underscores the emotional and investigative responses evoked by the incident.
In light of the ongoing investigations, community members are awaiting further details regarding the collision's circumstances and any measures that might be introduced to prevent similar incidents.
The repercussions of this tragedy resonate not just with the victim's family but also with the broader Myrtle Beach community as they grapple with the implications on public safety and police procedural operations.
Community members and officials continue to monitor the situation closely, seeking clarity and resolution from the investigations. The tragic accident has sparked concerns about vehicle use on beaches and the protocols governing emergency vehicle operations in crowded recreational areas.
In summation, the incident at Myrtle Beach, which resulted in the tragic death of Sandra Schultz-Peters, is under detailed examination. Both local authorities and the community are probing the events that led up to the accident, ensuring that the investigation is comprehensive, and considering changes to prevent future occurrences. The community also reflects on the necessary measures to assure public safety and enforce responsible beach patrol operations.
