WMBFNews.com, Myrtle Beach/Florence SC, WeatherMBPD: Pedestrian reportedly pinned between car and building

MBPD: Pedestrian reportedly pinned between car and building

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Ocean Blvd. was closed for some time as crews worked the scene (Source: WMBF News viewer Jessica) Ocean Blvd. was closed for some time as crews worked the scene (Source: WMBF News viewer Jessica)
Joseph Hugh Williams was arrested and charged with reckless driving (Source: MBPD) Joseph Hugh Williams was arrested and charged with reckless driving (Source: MBPD)

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – One person has been arrested after an accident early Monday morning shut down part of Ocean Boulevard.

According to the Myrtle Beach Police Department, several officers reported to the 1200 block of Ocean Boulevard around 1 a.m. after hearing reports of an officer down. Further investigation later indicated no officers were injured.

After speaking with witnesses, officers determined the driver of a Chevrolet Caprice featuring "Black and Mild" logos was traveling northbound on Ocean Boulevard in the vicinity of 11th Avenue North at a high rate of speed.

Myrtle Beach Police determined the driver of that car to be Joseph Hugh Williams, 31, of Greenville, NC.

Police say Williams struck a blue and silver Chevrolet Caprice near the rear driver's side and continued driving northbound. At that time, the car with "Black and Mild" struck an orange Chevrolet Caprice convertible in front of the Blue Bay Resort, which knocked the orange Caprice onto the sidewalk.

According to witnesses on scene, a pedestrian was pinned between the vehicle and a building.

"Somehow the car got out of control or something," explained Ashland Rhyne who was visiting Myrtle Beach. "I'm not really sure what happened, but it came up on the side of the road, and as you see it hit the side and a girl got ran over."

"Coley" Cole also saw where the cars came to rest. He said the young woman pinned by the car had to wait several minutes for an ambulance and other emergency responders to arrive. He said her friends surrounded her and consoled her in the meantime.

"Both of the cars were jammed in so they couldn't back the car up," he said. "So all she had to do was wait on the ambulance."

A total of three people were hurt, including another person walking on the sidewalk. They were taken to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries according to police.

Ocean Boulevard from 11th Avenue North to 16th Avenue North was closed for some time as authorities tried to learn what happened.

According to Lt. Doug Furlong with the Myrtle Beach Police Department, Williams was arrested and charged with reckless driving as well as leaving the scene attended, which means he is accused of leaving a scene involving other people who were injured.

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