Friday, Jun. 22, 2007

25-year-old MB man killed in crash

A Myrtle Beach man was killed early Thursday morning when his vehicle hit a concrete barrier.

Randon Stroup, 25, was traveling north on Robert Grissom Parkway between U.S. 17 Bypass and S.C. 31 when he lost control of a 2006 Chevrolet truck and hit the wall about 1 a.m., officials said.

The truck was moving at a high rate of speed when the accident occurred, Myrtle Beach police Capt. David Knipes said.

Stroup, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was taken to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead at 1:25 a.m., Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said.

Stroup was an employee of J.S. Elite Flooring Company in Myrtle Beach, his girlfriend, Jennifer Helms, said. He had lived in the area for several years and had developed friendships all along the Grand Strand.

"He was the most fun guy to be around," Helms said. "He knew everybody everywhere. Everybody loved him and they'll miss him."

Stroup, a Clarion, Pa. native, graduated from Cannon University in Erie, Pa., Helms said. He played golf growing up and was a big Myrtle Beach Pelicans fan. Stroup's favorite hangout in the area was the Liberty Taproom in Myrtle Beach.

Helms, who had dated Stroup for several months, said she'll miss his personality more than anything else.

"He was a beautiful person all the way around," she said.