Woman killed in crash just turned 23. Photos show her Myrtle Beach trip hours before death
Samantha Peeler had just turned 23 four days before a three-vehicle crash claimed her life Monday evening.
It appears she had been in Myrtle Beach over the weekend. Facebook posts showed the Gaffney woman along the ocean, smiling and enjoying the warm weather.
Peeler had posted a photo dump on Monday, just hours before the accident.
Peeler was identified by the Horry County Coroner’s Office as the person who died in the accident about 4:15 p.m. Monday along U.S. 501 near Aynor.
The accident also left five people injured.
Peeler was a front seat passenger in one of the vehicles, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The South Carolina Highway Patrol investigated the collision at U.S. 501 near Pee Dee Road at 4:15 p.m., Master Trooper Gary Miller said.
A Chevy Equinox, which had two occupants, was traveling east and attempting to cross U.S. 501 when it hit a Dodge Ram and then a Dodge Journey that were traveling north on the highway, according to Master Trooper Gary Miller.
Peeler was one of three occupants in the Dodge Ram.
Vianey Martinez, 43, was charged in the accident with driving under the influence which led to death, open container in vehicle and driving without a license, according to online booking records. She was arrested Monday.
Comments on Peeler’s beach photos went from people commenting early in the day about how beautiful she is and her responding, to people later commenting about how saddened they were with her death.
“Rest easy sweet girl” read one while another said “RIP sweet lady so sad to see you taken way too young.”
Friends and family continued to post tributes about the young woman Monday and Tuesday.
One post read: “Every time I saw Samantha Peeler she had a smile on her face, even if she wasn’t feeling it.” Another: “This isn’t real it can’t be. No more karaoke car rides. No more icecream dates. No more angry vents or laughs until we’re wheezing. If you would’ve told me it was my last I would’ve made that moment last forever.”
Messages sent by Facebook to Peeler’s family were not immediately returned.
This story was originally published May 16, 2023 at 12:36 PM.
