Murrells Inlet man, 86, died after truck ended up in pond on Christmas Eve

Posted: Dec 24, 2019 / 06:04 PM EST / Updated: Dec 26, 2019 / 10:49 AM EST

UPDATE – The man who died after his truck ended up in a pond on Christmas Eve was John Singleton Jr., 86, of Murrells Inlet, according to Georgetown County Coroner Kenny Johnson.

The cause of death was drowning. Singleton’s truck was pulled from the water near 4390 Highway 17 Bypass at about 8 p.m. The crash happened at about 5:45 p.m., according to Horry County Fire Rescue.

MURRELLS INLET, SC (WBTW) – One person died after a truck ended up in a pond in Murrells Inlet on Christmas Eve, according to Georgetown County Coroner Kenny Johnson.

The submerged truck went into water in the area of Bellamy Avenue, near 4390 Highway 17 Bypass, according to Horry County Fire Rescue (HCFR) spokesperson Tony Casey. That’s near the Jersey Mike’s. Casey said the incident happened around 5:45 p.m.

Officials with the South Carolina Highway Patrol said the truck, a 1998 Chevrolet pickup, was traveling west on Bellamy Avenue when it veered off the left side of the road and into a pond. The driver, who was the only occupant, died.

Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire handled the call, with HCFR assisting, according to Casey. Our crew on scene also saw Highway Patrol and Georgetown County deputies responding with a boat.

A dive team from HCFR entered the water around 7:05 p.m. Crews began to pull the truck out of the water just before 8 p.m.

At 8:45 p.m., Georgetown County Coroner Kenny Johnson confirmed one person died in the incident. He says the person was taken to Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital initially, and then pronounced dead at the hospital.