Woman Dead After Cop Runs Over Her with Truck While She Was Sitting on Beach: 'Unfortunate Accident'
The woman died at a local hospital shortly after she was pinned underneath the Horry County police vehicle, authorities said
A woman has died and an officer has been placed on leave after the woman was hit by a police vehicle while sitting on a beach in South Carolina.
The incident occurred on the beach near Nash Street just south of Myrtle Beach around 1 p.m. local time on Thursday, June 13, Lance Corporal Lena Butler of the South Carolina Highway Patrol said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
The 2020 Ford Ranger, which belongs to the Horry County Police Department, hit the woman while driving north from Nash Street, she added.
A witness told NBC affiliate WMBF-TV that the woman was pinned underneath one of the truck’s wheels and claimed multiple people attempted to lift the vehicle off of the victim.
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Amanda Bilodeau told the station that the woman let out “the most powerful scream” when she was hit. “It was just like pure fear or pain or both,” Bilodeau recalled.
Dennis Miller, another bystander, was among those who raced to help free the woman, according to WMBF-TV.
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“We hate that anything like that happened, and as far as the lady, we’re just so sad for her, too,” Miller said. “It’s just an unfortunate accident.”
The woman was eventually transported to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, where she later died, Butler said. Her identity has not been made public.
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The officer involved in the crash “is on administrative leave,” according to a statement released Friday, June 14, by the HCPD. The department also said an internal investigation into the incident will be conducted.
“What occurred on the beach yesterday was a tragedy and we know our community is hurting,” the HCPD said. “Our hearts are with all those impacted by this loss. We also know our community has questions. We do too.”
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The SCHP is investigating the deadly incident. The HCPD said it “is providing any access and information that South Carolina Highway Patrol may require to complete their investigation.”
“We stand ready to provide what support we can to our community and the family experiencing this tragic loss,” the department added.
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