Latest news with #BeaufortCounty
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
2 pedestrians killed in separate crashes on Hwy 21
BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) Two crashes in Beaufort County this weekend left two pedestrians dead. Both fatal collisions happened on Highway 21, going southbound towards Beaufort. Officials responded to both incidents in the early morning hours on Sunday. Just after midnight, two vehicles traveling south on Boundary Street near Broad River Boulevard, struck Rhonda Randall, a 35-year-old female from Beaufort in the roadway. The Beaufort County Coroner's office confirmed that Randall died on scene from blunt force injuries sustained from the automobile collision. Beaufort County Council to host Q&A meeting on ICE program Both drivers remained on scene and were reported uninjured. Just miles up the highway, Vick Smalls, a 50-year-old from Beaufort, was riding his bike southbound near Bruce K. Smalls drive. A vehicle traveling the same direction struck him. The Beaufort County Coroner's office confirmed that Smalls died on scene from blunt force injuries sustained from the automobile collision. The driver fled the scene, labeling the incident a hit and run. The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) said it is unclear of what time Smalls was hit. They released the information and images below of what vehicle could have hit Smalls. Dan Byrne with Burton Fire, the responding fire agency on both scenes, said it was dark on arrival for both incidents. He said that it is a dangerous time for folks to be out and about walking or riding on the busy highway. 'Don't walk along the side. Don't try to cross the road, don't ride a bicycle, try to find another way to move if that's what you need to do,' said Byrne. 'People are traveling at a high rate of speed without being able to see what's in front of them. Those aren't roads you need to be walking on or trying to cross or walk in the median. Avoid those areas at night.' Man wanted for sex offender registry violation Byrne said if your only option is to walk or ride a bike, make sure to have reflective gear to avoid a possible collision. 'If you have to ride your bike on these major roads at night, or if you have to cross the roadway, wear bright clothing or carry a flashlight so people will see you,' said Byrne. 'Look left, right, left, right one more time just to make sure before you cross, because that seems to be the biggest issue…major roadways at night.' There was a second hit and run involving two vehicles in Bluffton this weekend as well. SCHP is investigating all three incidents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
03-07-2025
- Fox News
Beach accident near Hilton Head kills two, injures others
A boating accident near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, claimed the lives of two people and left two others injured, according to local authorities. The incident occurred on the evening of Friday, June 27, when emergency crews responded to reports of a boating crash in the Skull Creek area, just before 10 p.m., the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Facebook. "Upon arrival, the vessel was located with four individuals on board," officials said. "Two occupants sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Tragically, the other two individuals were found deceased at the scene." Multiple response teams were involved in the rescue operation as divers were deployed and entered the water promptly upon arrival. According to an update from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), which is leading the investigation, the missing individuals and two dogs were found inside the overturned boat. Officials identified the deceased as 73-year-old Patsy Montgomery and 76-year-old James Montgomery, residents of Bluffton. The Beaufort County Coroner's Office confirmed their identities to local outlet WJCL, noting that the official cause of death has not yet been determined. According to the SCDNR preliminary report obtained by Fox News Digital, the boat appears to have collided with a day marker in the Intracoastal Waterway. Authorities are still working to establish the exact cause of the accident, noting that the vessel's operator was among the deceased and that no criminal charges are being considered at this time. Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry also expressed his condolences in a Facebook post, writing, "I'm at a loss for words over the tragic boat accident last night. My heart and prayers are with the families of the deceased and those who are injured. May God's hand provide comfort during these trying times." Fox News Digital reached out to the Beaufort County Coroner's Office but did not immediately receive a response. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chocowinity Primary School hosts open house for students coming over from Snowden
CHOCOWINITY, N.C. (WNCT) — Teachers and staff members at Chocowinity Primary School are preparing for more students next year after the closure of Snowden Elementary School. They are already welcoming new students and their families to their new school with an open house. This comes after the Beaufort County Board of Education voted to close Snowden. Teachers and other staff at Chocowinity Primary said they are aware of how big of a change this will be. They are also confident both students and parents will feel at home at Chocowinity Primary. 'It's going to be new, it's going to be different,' Chocowinity Primary School First-Grade Teacher Jessie Jordan saidI hope that they are looking forward to having their children meet new friends.' 'We work hard but we love hard too, so the students are going to be just fine,' Chocowinity Primary School Principal Lynn Whittington said. 'The parents, we can't wait to have parent involvement and engagement from the parents as well and just do what's best for those kids.' Whittington said they're making adjustments to classes to accommodate more students but for the most part, everything else is expected to stay the same. Leaders at Chocowinity Middle School said they plan to have similar meetings soon. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Who goes first? What SC drivers need to know about right-of-way and yield laws
From stop signs to traffic lights and even when leaving your neighborhood, yield laws are almost always at play when you're on the road. While on paper, these laws can seem pretty simple, but sometimes when you're behind the wheel, all the rules can be easily confused. Who stopped first? Can I turn at this light? Who is supposed to go first? Yield laws are everywhere when driving, so no matter if you're a new driver or just want to brush up on the rules, here's what South Carolina drivers need to know about yield laws and how they help keep everyone safer on the road. According to the latest traffic collision data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there was a total of 143,426 traffic collisions reported across the state in 2022. The total number of collisions caused by failure to yield the right of way in South Carolina adds up to a total of 29,040 accidents, which are responsible for over 8,000 injuries and 99 fatalities, making it the second top cause for collisions in the state. In Beaufort County, 3,726 total traffic collisions were reported in 2022, with 964 accidents caused by a failure to yield the right of way, accounting for 25.8% of collisions. Failure to yield the right of way is the number one cause of accidents in Beaufort County, according to the SCDPS. Distracted driving and driving too fast for the road conditions follow close behind as the second and third top causes for collisions. With failure to yield being one of the leading causes of accidents in Beaufort County and across the state, here is a breakdown of yield laws in South Carolina and what drivers should know before getting behind the wheel. At an Uncontrolled Intersection (No Signs or Lights) When approaching an intersection with no traffic signals or signs, every driver must yield to the driver who was already there. The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. Two Cars Arrive at the Same Time at an Uncontrolled Intersection If you and another car arrive at the same time from different roads, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. Turning Left Let oncoming traffic pass before turning left at an intersection, driveway, alley, etc. Yield to vehicles coming straight from the opposite direction if they are close enough to be a hazard. Stop Signs At a stop sign, come to a full stop. Then, yield to any traffic in or approaching the intersection. Yield Signs At a yield sign, slow down and prepare to stop if needed. You must yield to traffic already in or closely approaching the intersection. Entering a Road from a Driveway or Parking Lot When entering a road from anywhere other than another road, like a driveway or parking lot, you must yield to all traffic already on the road. Cars already on the road have the right-of-way. Green Light Go, but yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection, no matter if you are turning right, left or continuing straight. Yellow Light Slow down and prepare to stop. If the intersection is safe and clear, you may pass, but don't enter unless you can make it through. Red Light Stop and yield to all traffic. You may turn right on red after stopping unless a sign prohibits it. Yield to traffic and pedestrians before turning. Emergency vehicles You must always give the right of way to ambulances, police vehicles, fire engines or other emergency vehicles when their sirens or flashing lights are engaged. Pull to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not pull over in an intersection. Pedestrians in Crosswalks If there are no traffic lights, you must yield to pedestrians crossing or entering at a crosswalk or intersection. Pedestrians must be given the right of way. If you are a pedestrian, do not suddenly walk out into traffic. If there is a school bus, you must yield the right of way to children entering/exiting a bus under all conditions. Bicyclists and Bike Lanes Drivers must yield to cyclists in bike lanes and not block bike lanes when turning or parking. Cyclists must use the bike lane, unless passing or avoiding hazards. Through Highways A through highway is one where other roads must yield before entering (usually marked by stop or yield signs). If you're on a main road with signs at intersections, others yield to you. For a look at all yield laws and traffic situations, here is a further breakdown: Traffic Situation Who Yields? Arriving at the same time (no signs) The driver on the left yields Turning left Yield to oncoming traffic At a stop sign Stop, then yield if traffic is coming At a yield sign Slow or stop, yield to traffic Entering from the driveway Yield to all road traffic Pedestrian in a crosswalk Yield to pedestrians; they have the right-of-way Green light Yield to vehicles & pedestrians already in the intersection Bike lane Yield to cyclists, don't block the lane No matter if you're a new driver or just want to brush up on the rules of the road, right-of-way yield laws are crucial to staying safe on the road. To learn more about South Carolina's road laws, click here to view the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Public hearing takes place to discuss possible closing of elementary school in Beaufort County
CHOCOWINITY, N.C. (WNCT) — A public hearing discussing the possible closure of Snowden Elementary School took place at Southside High School Thursday night, May 29, 2025. Members of the school board welcomed the community to hear their thoughts and opinions on the closure's impact. They spoke about student safety, lack of convenience and of what losing the school would mean. One message that was clear from both board members and people in the community was that solutions are needed. Concerns started with the meeting's location as some people said it was too far from the people in Aurora for them to voice their concerns. Beaufort County Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Cheeseman said he's grateful for the people who did voice their opinions. 'It's exciting to hear from all these people,' he said. 'We're working on transportation solutions but also enjoyed hearing the support for our strong teachers.' Some parents and other community members remain unhappy with the possibility of the school's closure. If the school does close, Beaufort County Schools would save $1.76 million, according to the recommended budget from Beaufort County Manager Brian Alligood. 'This is a long-term issue, we are seeing less people in Beaufort County,' Dr. Cheeseman said. The board will make a decision Tuesday, June 3rd, but leadership said they are looking at solutions to the problem for both possible outcomes. 'Leave it to the board to have dialogue with each other and approach both possible outcomes,' Dr. Cheeseman said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
