Woman dies after being hit by police truck on beach

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) – A woman died Thursday afternoon after being hit by a Horry County Police Department truck on the beach, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol and witnesses.

WMBF News received several videos and pictures from people that show a Horry County police vehicle and several beachgoers near Springmaid Pier. They appeared to be surrounding the front of the truck.

A witness said the truck ran over a woman and pinned her underneath one of the wheels, adding that people tried to lift the police truck off of her.

Amanda Bilodeau said it all happened in an instant.

“I heard and saw nothing until I heard her scream, and it was the most powerful scream, something that you can’t, like nothing from the movies or anything. It was just like pure fear or pain, or both. Immediately, myself and probably everybody on the beach turned around and just went running,” Bilodeau described.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the truck was coming from the Nash Street access onto the beach when the truck hit the woman.

Another beachgoer, Dennis Miller, said bystanders immediately 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,” said Miller.

The victim was then taken to the Grand Strand Medical Center where she later died from her injuries.

Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said her office is waiting to notify the victim’s family before releasing any more information about her.

The Horry County Police Department did not initially provide a statement.

Witnesses like Miller said they feel truly sorry for all involved.

“We hate that anything like that happened, and as far as the lady, we’re just so sad for her, too,” said Miller. “It’s just an unfortunate accident.”

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