SURFSIDE, SC (WMBF) - The South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to a serious accident in Surfside Beach late Thursday afternoon, and lanes of Highway 17 Business were closed as crews cleared the vehicles from the roadway.
LCpl Brent Kelly with the South Carolina Highway Patrol says the accident happened at 5:39 p.m. Thursday on Highway 17 Business in front of Old Time Pottery.
Horry County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Justin Gibbins says four medic units and two helicopters were requested to assist to the scene of the accident in Surfside Beach. According to Kelly, six vehicles were involved in the crash and one person was killed.
Kelly says Derek Fiore, from Rutherford, New Jersey, was driving a 2006 Subaru northbound on Frontage Road that parallels Highway 17 Business. For an unknown reason, Fiore crossed the median into the southbound lanes of Highway 17 Business and then crossed the median into the northbound lanes of Highway 17 Business and hit a 2002 Toyota that was stopped for traffic.
The driver of the Toyota, identified as 18-year-old Cynthia Ayala of the Surfside Beach area, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was wearing a seatbelt. Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler tells WMBF News that an autopsy performed Friday determined Ayala died as a result of massive trauma.
Fiore, who was also wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center for his injuries. A spokesman for the hospital tells WMBF News that Fiore is in good condition Friday.
One other person was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The SC Highway Patrol M.A.I.T. team is investigating this collision. They ask any witnesses to the crash to call them at 843-519-1342 to help aid in the investigation.
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18-year-old Cynthia Ayala (Source: Ayala family)
