SURFSIDE BEACH — The S.C. Highway Patrol has reported that a fatal wreck in Surfside Thursday afternoon claimed the life of an 18-year-old Surfside Beach woman, whose name was not available early Friday morning.

The Patrol said that the wreck was caused when a car being driven northbound along a frontage road by Derek Fiore of Rutherford, N.J., veered across medians and into cars stopped on U.S. 17 for a traffic light.

Fiore was transported to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, according to the report, and at least one other person in the six-vehicle accident was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The wreck occurred around 5:40 p.m. in the northbound lanes of U.S. 17 business across the street from the Old Time Pottery store, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

The northbound lanes were shut down for hours following the wreck, which happened during rush hour. Traffic backed up to Glenn’s Bay Road. Southbound lanes were directed onto the frontage road.

Bystanders in the pottery and McDonalds’ parking lots didn’t see what happened, only noticing the crash after it had happened.

Todd Rogers, a bystander from Myrtle Beach, was headed south on U.S. 17 when he got stuck in traffic around Farrow Parkway. He said he took a short cut along side roads, but still took 25 minutes to get near the scene. When he arrived, he saw a medical helicopter land and take off.

Fowler said one person was taken in the helicopter.

Two helicopters were called to the scene originally, along with four ambulances, said Justin Gibbins, assistant chief with Horry County Fire Rescue. The second helicopter was canceled when authorities learned of the woman’s death.

Gibbins said several other people reported injuries, but the number and condition of those victims was not available.

S.C. Highway Patrol was still investigating the wreck at 9 p.m. Thursday.

Contact STEVE JONES at 444-1765.