HORRY, Horry County, S.C., Sept. 27, 2026 — A motorcyclist and a passenger died Saturday night, September 26, following a collision at the intersection of SC-410 and SC-19 in Horry County, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Four other people were hurt when a SUV struck the motorcycle.
The crash happened around 8 p.m., South Carolina Highway Patrol Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway said. A motorcycle, described as a 2012 Harley-Davidson, was reportedly attempting to cross SC-410 from SC-19 northbound when a 2016 Nissan SUV traveling eastbound on SC-410 struck it, according to the trooper's account. The impact reportedly threw the motorcycle into the roadway.
The motorcycle's driver and passenger were taken to a local hospital, where they died, Ridgeway said. Their identities have not been released.
The SUV's driver was injured and taken to a hospital, the report said. Three passengers riding in the SUV were also taken to a hospital with what were described as minor injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The Horry County Coroner's Office is expected to release further details, including the names of those killed, once next of kin have been notified.
We extend our sincere condolences to the victims' families.
What Actually Causes Motorcycle Crossing Crashes
Crashes where a motorcycle is struck while crossing or turning across a road often come down to a driver misjudging how fast the bike is closing in on the intersection. A motorcycle's smaller profile makes it harder to gauge speed and distance at a glance, and a driver glancing across two lanes of a highway can easily place the bike farther away, or moving slower, than it really is. That misjudgment is a common thread in these collisions, more than any single mechanical failure or road defect.
Engineering changes have shown they can help. Protected left-turn signal phases, better sight lines at rural highway junctions, brighter intersection lighting at night, and roundabouts in place of unmarked crossings all give drivers more time and a clearer view to register an oncoming motorcycle before committing to a turn or crossing maneuver. Rural highway junctions like the kind found across Horry County often lack these features simply because traffic volumes historically didn't call for them.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Behavioral factors, like drivers scanning twice before pulling out and riders using reflective gear or running headlights during dusk hours, work alongside those road design fixes rather than replacing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do left-turning or crossing vehicles cause motorcycle collisions?
Many of these crashes happen when a car or SUV driver misjudges a motorcycle's speed or distance and pulls into its path, often at an intersection where a rider has the right of way or is crossing from a side road.
What can drivers do to spot motorcycles more reliably?
Checking twice before entering or crossing traffic, looking specifically for a motorcycle's narrower shape, and avoiding assumptions about how far away it is can help drivers catch a bike they might otherwise miss.
What should a rider or passenger do after a motorcycle crash?
Anyone involved should call 911, avoid moving an injured person unless there is immediate danger, and seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some trauma isn't obvious right away.
Are motorcycle crashes more common at intersections?
Intersections and crossing points are a frequent setting for motorcycle collisions because they require another driver to correctly judge a motorcycle's speed and position before turning or crossing.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Horry, South Carolina
Anyone involved in a motorcycle crash should get checked by a medical provider as soon as possible, even if they feel able to walk away, since injuries like internal bleeding or concussions can take hours to show symptoms. It helps to get the responding agency's report number and, if possible, photos of the scene before it's cleared. Contacting the local coroner's office or highway patrol directly is often the fastest way to get accurate, confirmed information rather than relying on secondhand accounts. Taking time to rest and lean on family or friends afterward matters too, crash aftermath is stressful even when injuries are minor.
