On June 13, 2024, 66-year-old Sandra “Sandy” Schultz-Peters was struck and killed by a police vehicle in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Horry County Police Department confirmed that the officer involved, whose name has not been disclosed, has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
The incident happened around 1 p.m. near the Nash Street beach access, where Schultz-Peters sat in a chair reading. Witnesses described the chaotic scene as the 2020 Ford Ranger Pickup truck, driven by the officer, approached from the north and struck Schultz-Peters, facing east. Denis Miller, a witness, recalled, “Someone shouted that a person had been run over. We rushed over and saw a woman on the ground with a truck on top of her.”
Amanda Bilodeau, another witness, described the aftermath: “It was the most intense scream I’ve ever heard, unlike anything from movies or elsewhere.” She and other beachgoers attempted to help, but their efforts were in vain.
Beachgoers, including Brian Stanford, a former Marine, were able to partially lift the truck off Schultz-Peters and slide her out, and two paramedics and Stanford’s wife, Cindy, a nurse, tried to stabilize her. She was aware and talking, and was even able to give the code to unlock her phone. She was taken to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, but she later died from her injuries.
Schultz-Peters, a widow, was a beloved nurse practitioner in the Myrtle Beach community, known for her involvement in local activities and caring nature. Her brother, Tony, expressed grief and concern for the officer involved, noting the impact on family and friends.
The Horry County Police Department issued a statement acknowledging the community’s pain and the ongoing investigation. “What happened on the beach yesterday was heartbreaking, and we recognize the pain our community is feeling,” the statement said. “Our condolences go out to all affected by this loss. We understand the community has questions, and so do we.”
A petite woman with an outsized personality, Schultz-Peters was described by friends as a “whirling dervish.” She was committed to her patients as a nurse practitioner, organized a book club, and often walked her 10-year-old labradoodle, Sophie. “She was beloved,” said Denise Lindgren, a fellow book club member. Schultz-Peters had recently lost her Great Dane, Luther, and was fondly remembered driving with the sunroof open and Luther’s head sticking out.
This incident is not isolated. In 2020, another person was struck by a Horry County police patrol car on a nearby beach but survived. Additionally, similar incidents have been reported elsewhere, such as in Daytona Beach, Florida, where a police sergeant hit two sunbathers in May 2024.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is leading the investigation, with the Horry County Police Department conducting an internal review. Authorities are working to understand the circumstances leading to this accident and prevent future occurrences.
In response to the incident, state lawmakers, such as Rep. William Bailey and Rep. Tim McGinnis, are calling for legislation to regulate the use of full-sized vehicles on the beach during peak hours. They argue that these large vehicles pose a safety risk due to limited visibility and maneuverability.
