NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – A traffic accident in North Myrtle Beach has sent three police officers to the hospital Wednesday afternoon.
The collision involved Safety Sergeant Russell “Rusty” Caudle, NMB Public Safety Officer Kyle Smith, NMB Public Safety Lieutenant Corporal Bobby Hall and Patricia G. Newton of Myrtle Beach. The officers were in police patrol cars and Newton was driving a blue Cadillac.
According to North Myrtle Beach Public Information Officer Pat Dowling, a driver hit a police car from behind heading northbound on Highway 17, just south of Main Street around 3:15 p.m. That initial collision forced the officer’s car into a second police car, sending three officers to the hospital with injuries, Dowling adds.
All four involved were taken to the hospital. Dowling says that two officers have been released, but are unsure of the status of the third officer or Newton.
The SC Highway Patrol responded to the scene to write an accident report and Horry County EMS responded for patient care.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area as crews work to clear the scene. Only one northbound lane of Hwy 17 near Main Street is open.
