Sandra “Sandy” Schultz-Peters, 66, was fatally hit by a police truck while sitting on the beach on June 13, 2024, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The officer involved in the incident, whose identity remains undisclosed, has been put on administrative leave by the Horry County Police Department while the investigation is ongoing.
The occurrence took place around 1 p.m. near the Nash Street beach access. Schultz-Peters was sitting in a chair and reading when she was hit by a 2020 Ford Ranger Pickup driven by the officer. Eyewitness Denis Miller described the scene, “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.”
Another observer, Amanda Bilodeau, described the horrifying aftermath. She recalled, “It was the most intense scream I’ve ever heard, unlike anything from movies or elsewhere.” Despite the immediate assistance provided by Bilodeau and other beachgoers, their attempts to help Schultz-Peters were futile.
With the help of bystanders, including former Marine Brian Stanford, they managed to lift the truck partially off Schultz-Peters. Two paramedics and Stanford’s wife, Cindy, a nurse, tried to stabilize her. Schultz-Peters was conscious and could even provide the code to unlock her phone. However, she later succumbed to her injuries at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.
Known for her caring nature and involvement in local activities, Schultz-Peters was a much-loved nurse practitioner in the Myrtle Beach community. Her brother, Tony, expressed sadness over the incident, highlighting the impact on family and friends, and expressed concern for the officer involved.
In response to the tragedy, the Horry County Police Department released a statement saying, “What happened on the beach yesterday was heartbreaking, and we recognize the pain our community is feeling. Our condolences go out to all affected by this loss. We understand the community has questions, and so do we.”
Schultz-Peters was remembered by friends as a vibrant woman with a larger-than-life personality. As a nurse practitioner, she was committed to her patients. She also organized a book club and often took walks with her 10-year-old labradoodle, Sophie. Denise Lindgren, a member of the book club, said, “She was beloved.” Schultz-Peters had recently lost her Great Dane, Luther, and was fondly remembered driving with Luther’s head sticking out of the sunroof.
This is not the first incident of this nature. In 2020, another individual survived being hit by a Horry County police patrol car on a nearby beach. Similar occurrences have also been reported in other places such as Daytona Beach, Florida, where two sunbathers were hit by a police sergeant in May 2024.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is spearheading the investigation, and an internal review is being conducted by the Horry County Police Department. The objective of the authorities is to comprehend the circumstances that led to this accident and prevent similar incidents in the future.
In light of the incident, state lawmakers including Rep. William Bailey and Rep. Tim McGinnis, are advocating for legislation that would limit the use of full-sized vehicles on the beach during peak hours due to safety concerns surrounding visibility and maneuverability.
