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CONWAY, Horry County, S.C., Oct. 15, 2026 — A person on a bicycle was taken to a hospital with injuries Thursday morning, October 15, after a crash closed part of Highway 544 in Conway. Horry County Fire Rescue was dispatched to the scene near West Cox Ferry Road at 7:48 a.m., according to the agency.
Lanes of Highway 544 were blocked for several hours while crews responded, Horry County Fire Rescue reported. The agency urged drivers to avoid the area both for their own safety and that of responders working the scene.
The injured cyclist was transported to a hospital.
Highway 544 fully reopened to traffic at 9:15 a.m., Horry County Fire Rescue said.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. We hope everyone who was hurt makes a speedy recovery.
Where Car-Bicycle Crashes Tend to Cluster
Collisions between cars and bicycles rarely happen at random points along a roadway. They tend to concentrate at intersections, driveways and spots where a cyclist's path crosses a turning or merging vehicle, places where a driver's attention is split between multiple directions of traffic. Wide arterial roads with higher speed limits and multiple lanes add another layer of risk, since a driver has less time to spot a cyclist and react before paths cross.
Rural highways carry their own hazards. Shoulders are often narrow or absent, lighting is limited, and drivers may not expect to encounter a cyclist at all, especially outside of daylight hours. Stretches where a numbered highway meets a secondary road, the kind of layout common across the South, can be particularly tricky because traffic speeds shift abruptly near the intersection while a cyclist's speed stays constant.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 81 percent of pedalcyclist fatalities occurred in urban areas in 2023. That figure points to density, not just speed, as a major factor: more intersections, more turning movements and more points where a car and a bicycle might occupy the same space at the same moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most car-bicycle collisions happen?
Most occur at or near intersections and driveways, where a turning or crossing vehicle fails to see an oncoming cyclist in time to stop.
What is "dooring" and why is it dangerous?
Dooring happens when someone in a parked car opens a door into the path of a passing cyclist. It can happen with little warning and often leaves a cyclist no room to swerve.
How can cyclists stay safer in traffic?
Riding predictably, using lights and reflective gear, and riding with rather than against the flow of traffic all help drivers see and anticipate a cyclist's movements.
What should a cyclist do after a crash with a car?
Call 911, stay at the scene until authorities arrive, seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, and get a copy of the official crash report once it's available.
What to Do After a Bicycle Crash in Conway, SC
Anyone involved in or witnessing a bicycle crash should call 911 right away and stay clear of traffic until help arrives. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is worth getting, since some injuries from a bike crash don't show symptoms immediately. Getting the names of responding officers and a copy of the official report can also help later on, whether for insurance purposes or simply to understand what happened. Conway residents can also reach out to Horry County Fire Rescue or the South Carolina Highway Patrol for updates on an investigation.
