HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – Officials have identified a woman who was hit and killed by an Horry County Police Department truck while on the beach Thursday.
Horry County Deputy Coroner Michelle McSpadden said 66-year-old Sandra “Sandy” Schultz-Peters died as a result of the incident. McSpadden added that Schultz-Peters lived in Myrtle Beach.
WMBF News did not receive a statement of any kind from the HCPD until Friday morning. In an email, the department acknowledged that the South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the deadly incident, which happened at the Nash Street beach access.
“What occurred on the beach yesterday [Thursday] was a tragedy and we know our community is hurting,” the statement reads. “Our hearts are with all those impacted by this loss.”
The department also said they have questions about the incident just like the community does.
In the meantime, the involved officer will be put on administrative leave, according to the department.
HCPD did emphasize that any information on the investigation would have to come from the South Carolina Highway Patrol since they are the lead.
However, the police department is conducting an internal investigation as well. HCPD said they have to make sure both the external and internal investigations go on “without delay or interference.”
“We stand ready to provide what support we can to our community and the family experiencing this tragic loss,” the agency said.
WMBF News received several videos and pictures from people on Thursday that show a Horry County police vehicle and several beachgoers near Springmaid Pier and they are surrounding the front of the truck.
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WMBF News also received dispatch audio describing the immediate aftermath of the scene.
“We currently have one patient trapped under an Horry County Beach Patrol vehicle,” a Myrtle Beach Fire Department employee said in the audio.
WMBF News has also filed an open records request for the HCPD’s beach patrol policy and is waiting to hear back.
Stay with WMBF News for updates.
HCPD’s full statement:
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 community has questions. We do too.
We have a responsibility to ensure the investigations—both external and internal—occur without delay or interference. Horry County Police Department is providing any access and information that South Carolina Highway Patrol may require to complete their investigation.
At this time, the officer involved is on administrative leave.
We stand ready to provide what support we can to our community and the family experiencing this tragic loss.
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