A violent crash involving a Peterbilt dump truck and three other vehicles has claimed the lives of two and left another driver hospitalized Wednesday afternoon in Horry County, according to officials.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that the wreck occurred along Highway 22 when the dump truck struck a Chevy SUV that was stopped in traffic, causing a chain reaction: the SUV then collided with a Jeep and GMC truck. The force of the impact pushed one car over the concrete barrier and into the Waccamaw River, ejecting the driver. Another vehicle erupted into flames, as did the dump truck.
Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner, Tamara Willard, identified the victims as 49-year-old Earl Burnette, who died after his vehicle landed in the river, and 35-year-old Flora Beltran-Gomez who was killed when her car caught fire. One additional driver was taken to the hospital for treatment. The dump truck driver was uninjured.
Collisions involving large commercial vehicles like dump trucks often raise serious questions about negligence, roadway safety, and liability. Families who lose loved ones in crashes of this magnitude may be entitled to pursue wrongful death claims against responsible parties. Trucking accidents, in particular, can involve complex issues such as improper maintenance, driver error, or company negligence.
Anyone affected by such tragedies is encouraged to seek legal guidance to understand their rights and explore potential avenues for accountability and justice.
