Victim in deadly Forestbrook community crash identified

A police chase ended in tragedy Tuesday when a passenger in the fleeing car was killed in the Forestbrook community.

Horry County Coroner Robert Edge said Lucero Sanchez Martinez of Myrtle Beach was pronounced dead at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday at Conway Medical Center.

She was in a Mitsubishi Galant that state troopers said was trying to elude an Horry County police officer when it collided head-on with a Ford Expedition on McCormick Road, about a half mile from the intersection with Forestbrook Road.

The driver of the Galant was flown to New Hanover Hospital. His condition was unknown Tuesday evening. His identity and that of the victim from the Expedition were not available.

The driver of the Expedition was taken to the Conway Medical Center emergency room, but a condition report on that person also was not available Tuesday afternoon.

The Highway Patrol is investigating the collision.

Afterward, officials blocked all lanes of traffic on McCormick Road near the entrance to the Planters Creek subdivision, where what remained of the two vehicles sat on the side of the road surrounded by fire trucks and police cruisers.

While officials worked to clear the scene, residents of the subdivision trying to exit or enter were told to park at the Forestbrook Baptist Church.

Around 12:30 p.m. police were searching the shoulder of the road, but officers declined to say what they were looking for.

Horry County police had no comment about the collision and said the department is coordinating with the highway patrol on the investigation.

Until that investigation is complete, the department will not make a statement, said Lt. Raul Denis.