Widow claims SCDOT, Horry is responsible for late husband who fell in ditch on property

A Horry County woman says in a lawsuit that Horry County and the South Carolina Department of Transportation are responsible for the death of her husband, who fell in a ditch at the edge of his property.

Rhonda Snowden’s husband Charles Snowden died Dec. 3 after he fell into a ditch maintained by the defendants while he was using a tractor to mow his grass on at his home off Pee Dee Highway in Conway, according to the suit filed Sept. 14.

An email was sent Wednesday to the department seeking comment but was not immediately returned.

Thomas Bell, a spokesperson for the county, said they do not comment on pending litigation.

Charles Snowden was at the edge of the ditch when it collapsed and he fell in with the tractor on top of him. His family found him later, the suit states.

He died from asphyxiation.

The suit alleges the defendants were negligent in “leaving a dangerous condition on their property” and failing to post warning signs.

This story was originally published October 10, 2022 at 5:00 AM.