Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010

Woman killed in wreck in Myrtle Beach

Service truck, Honda involved

A woman was killed Tuesday at U.S. 17 Bypass and Coalition Drive in the first fatal crash this year inside the city limits of Myrtle Beach, police said.

Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard identified the woman as Matilda Hussey, 79, of Myrtle Beach. Hussey was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:10 p.m., Willard said.

The 4 p.m. crash clogged traffic near the back gate of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base for more than three hours, as police worked to clear the area and investigate the crash, said Myrtle Beach police Officer Shannon Toole.

Toole said the crash happened when a plumbing truck southbound on U.S. 17 Bypass struck the driver's door of a 2002 Honda Accord as it attempted a turn onto the bypass from Coalition Drive.

Authorities said the unidentified woman was the driver of the Honda and she had no passengers. Toole said it appeared she failed to yield the right of way. Two people were in the plumbing truck, Toole said. They were taken to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center with what appeared to be minor injuries.

Brandon Melton, who was at the scene after the crash, said the wreck is another indication that a traffic light is needed at the intersection of Coalition Drive and the bypass.

"It's a dangerous intersection," said Melton, who has family in that area. "I've almost been in an accident several times here."

Police allowed traffic to flow again on the bypass around 7:20 p.m. The state Highway Patrol and the state Department of Transportation assisted the Myrtle Beach Police Department in the incident.