Sandra “Sandy” Schultz-Peters, 66, was fatally hit by a police vehicle on June 13, 2024 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Horry County Police Department confirmed that the officer involved, whose identity remains undisclosed, has been put on administrative leave pending an investigation.

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. near Nash Street beach access. Schultz-Peters was sitting in a chair reading a book, when a 2020 Ford Ranger Pickup truck driven by the officer struck her. Witnesses recount the officer approaching from the north while Schultz-Peters was facing east. “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,” said Denis Miller, who witnessed the incident.

Amanda Bilodeau, another eyewitness, recalled the scene’s aftermath as truly horrific. Despite the attempts made by Bilodeau and other beachgoers to assist, their efforts proved unsuccessful.

Several beachgoers, including former Marine Brian Stanford, managed to partially lift the truck and extricate Schultz-Peters. Two paramedics and Stanford’s wife Cindy, a nurse, attempted to stabilize her. Schultz-Peters remained conscious and was able to provide the code to unlock her phone. Despite being rushed to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, she later succumbed to her injuries.

Schultz-Peters, a widow and a highly respected nurse practitioner in Myrtle Beach, was known for her community involvement and compassionate nature. Her brother, Tony, expressed sorrow and also showed concern for the officer involved, acknowledging the incident’s impact on those close to them.

The Horry County Police Department released a statement addressing the grief felt by the community and the ongoing investigation. “What occurred on the beach yesterday was devastating, and we understand the anguish our community is experiencing,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with those impacted by this loss. We are aware that the community has questions, and we share those concerns.”

Described by friends as a “whirling dervish,” Schultz-Peters was a petite woman known for her larger-than-life personality. She was committed to her work as a nurse, led a book club, and frequently walked 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 often seen driving with the sunroof open and Luther’s head out.

This tragedy is not an isolated incident. In 2020, another individual survived after being hit by a Horry County police patrol car on a nearby beach. Similar accidents have also occurred in other locations, like Daytona Beach, Florida, where a police sergeant struck two sunbathers in May 2024.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is spearheading the investigation, while the Horry County Police Department is conducting an internal review. The authorities are diligently striving to comprehend the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident and are working towards preventing such accidents in the future.

In the wake of this incident, state legislators like Rep. William Bailey and Rep. Tim McGinnis are advocating for laws to control the use of full-sized vehicles on the beach during peak hours. They argue that these vehicles, due to their limited visibility and maneuverability, present a safety risk.