SCHP: Motorcyclist killed in evening crash on S.C. 544
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash on S.C. 544 on Sunday evening, marking the third fatal motorcycle crash in three days.
Christopher Chavis, 47, was killed in the crash, said deputy coroner Patty Bellamy with the Horry County Coroner’s Office. The wreck happened just after 8 p.m. near S.C. 707. A pick-up truck and motorcycle were both traveling west on S.C. 544 when the motorcycle struck the back of the pick-up, said Lance Cpl. Matt Southern with S.C. Highway Patrol.
The motorcyclist died on scene from injuries, Southern said. The two people in the pick-up were wearing seat belts and were not hurt, he said.
The victim was not wearing a helmet, Southern stated.
Chavis lived in the Myrtle Beach area, but was originally from Laurinburg, North Carolina, according to Bellamy.
The crash was the third fatal motorcycle crash in three days in the county.
Horry County Coroner Robert Edge said it’s unusual to have this many of fatal motorcycle crashes over a short amount of time. He said a couple of the main issues in motorcycle crashes is people not wearing helmets and speeding.
“Always be aware of what’s beside you and what’s in front of you,” Edge said.
Robert Thomas Shubert, 31, of Myrtle Beach, died in a crash at S.C. 707 and Holmestown Road near Surfside Beach Friday, Bellamy said. Shubert was a firefighter with the Murrells Inlet Garden City Fire Department and former U.S. Marine that served a tour in Iraq.
Matthew Turbeville, 30, of Chadbourn, North Carolina, died from injuries in a single motorcycle crash on Hwy. 9 Saturday night, Bellamy said. The crash was reported to SCHP early Sunday morning after discovered by a passerby, Bellamy said.
This story was originally published April 29, 2019 at 7:43 AM.
