LORIS, Horry County, S.C., Sept. 17, 2026 — One person died and another was hospitalized after a vehicle backed into a pedestrian and then struck a building near a church Wednesday night, September 16, according to authorities.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 9:59 p.m. at 744 Cedar Branch Road, an address that matches Cedar Branch Missionary Baptist Church. A trooper said a 2026 Nissan Rogue backed up, hit a pedestrian, and then struck a building. Authorities have not said whether that building was the church itself.
Emergency crews took both the pedestrian and the driver of the Nissan to a hospital, authorities said. The pedestrian later died from their injuries. The Horry County Coroner's Office has not released the victim's name.
Horry County Fire Rescue responded to the scene along with state troopers. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, and no cause has been made public.
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.
What Do Numbers Say About Pedestrian Fatalities?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one person was killed every 13 minutes in traffic crashes in 2023. That rate includes crashes far removed from a highway, low-speed incidents in parking lots, driveways, and church grounds among them, where a vehicle backing up can still result in a death.
Pedestrian fatalities do not require high speed to occur. A vehicle moving in reverse at low speed can still cause fatal injuries, particularly when a driver has limited visibility behind the vehicle or a pedestrian is standing close to a building or another vehicle. These crashes happen in areas drivers consider safe, like church lots, parking areas, and residential driveways.
Investigators look at sightlines, vehicle backup technology, and the position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle's path. Because these crashes happen at low speed and in contained spaces, they are sometimes treated differently than roadway collisions, but the outcome for the pedestrian can be just as serious.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do fatal-crash investigations typically take?
Timelines vary widely. Some are resolved in weeks; others, especially those involving unclear circumstances or pending toxicology results, can take several months before an agency closes its file.
Does impairment play a role in fatal crashes?
Impairment, whether from alcohol, drugs, or fatigue, is a factor in a significant share of fatal crashes nationally, though authorities generally do not confirm impairment in a specific case until testing and investigation are complete.
Where do fatal pedestrian crashes happen the most?
They occur in a range of settings, including parking lots, driveways, and low-speed areas as well as roadways. Limited visibility and reversing vehicles are common contributing factors in non-roadway incidents.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Loris, SC
Anyone involved in or witnessing a crash like this should call 911 immediately and avoid moving an injured person unless there is an immediate danger. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is important, since some injuries from being struck by a vehicle are not immediately obvious.
Witnesses should stay at the scene until authorities arrive and provide contact information to responding officers. Anyone with information about the crash is generally encouraged to cooperate with the South Carolina Highway Patrol as the investigation continues. Community members affected by an incident at a familiar or shared space, like a church, may also want to reach out to local support resources in the days that follow.
