Horry County Police Department responds to lawsuit over fatal beach accident

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Horry County Police want to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit related to a fatal beach accident in June.

In documents filed last week, the HCPD claims it was not the direct cause of the accident that killed 66-year-old Sandy Schultz-Peters.

The documents are a response to a lawsuit filed by Schultz-Peters' estate against the agency.

That lawsuit alleges that on June 13, Lcpl. Julian “Duke” Brown was distracted while driving onto the Nash Street Public Beach Access and struck Schultz-Peters as she sat on the beach.

Aside from it being a clear day, Brown's vision was not obstructed and he was not responding to an emergency, according to the lawsuit, filed in late June.

Brown, driving a large 2020 Ford Ranger beach patrol vehicle, had every chance of seeing Schultz-Peters on the beach but became distracted and decided to drive along the beach without paying attention to people and objects, the lawsuit says.

Schultz-Peters' family accuses the HCPD of gross negligence, negligent supervision, training and placement, and involuntary manslaughter.

In its response, the HCPD denied all of these allegations and asked that the judge dismiss the case and award it attorney fees.

Meanwhile, Schultz-Peters' family is seeking more than $100,000 in compensation and is requesting a jury trial.

The family's wrongful death lawsuit names Brown by name, but the HCPD is the sole defendant in the suit.

Brown retired on July 26.

You can view the HCPD’s full response below:

All rights reserved.