Myrtle Beach area motorcyclist died doing what he loved: Riding
Gary Hersh loved to ride his motorcycle.
Whenever weather allowed it, he would get on his bike and ride. Since July 5, 2026, was a hot day, including well into the morning hours, Hersh rode his motorcycle to work.
The 78-year-old was retired, but Hersh worked a part-time job doing security. On that night, he had worked in the Tuscany neighborhood in the Forestbrook community, just a short distance from his Myrtle Beach area home.
But about 2:30 a.m. a driver of another vehicle who was allegedly intoxicated made an incorrect turn, crashing into Hersh head-on. Hersh didn’t survive.
Hersh’s friends took to social media to share their memories of Hersh, who was known for helping others in the neighborhood and picking up trash as he walked his dog, Sushi, every morning. In return, friends and neighbors have stepped in to help his wife, Diane, who is only living on Social Security, pay for medical bills and funeral expenses.
“He was a giving guy,” said Bennett Turner, who lives across from the couple. “He had a servant’s heart. Even the curmudgeons loved Gary.”
Driver charged in crash
George Franklin Wilhoit, 27, was charged with felony driving under the influence resulting in death and operating an uninsured motor vehicle, after he allegedly collided with Hersh’s motorcycle while driving a Nissan sedan on McCormick Road in the Myrtle Beach area, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Wilhoit had been driving west on McCormick Road just before 2:30 a.m. at the same time Hersh was traveling east on a motorcycle, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol. Wilhoit attempted to turn left onto Hammerstone Run when the motorcycle and the sedan collided.
Hersh sustained injuries from the crash and was taken to Grand Strand Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, according to the Horry County Coroner’s Office.
Wilhoit remains in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on a $50,500 bond.
Couple met at grocery store
Hersh had retired from Wegmans grocery store. It was there that he met his wife, Diane, who also worked at the store. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in February, Turner said.
Hersh had two adult sons and a stepson, as well as two grandchildren.
The couple moved to Horry County from Pennsylvania eight years ago. Turner was the Realtor for the couple and sold them the house across the street from his own.
Over the years, Turner got to know the couple really well. “They’re a great couple,” he said.
Hersh was always in his yard, Turner said.
“He had one heck of a tan,” Turner said.
Turner said he can’t help but think that there was a larger reason he met the couple all those years ago. Not only did he become Hersh’s Realtor and then his neighbor, but Turner’s son works at the hospital where Hersh was taken on the night of the crash. His son was able to be with Hersh before he died, Turner said.
“Gary’s last face was a friendly one,” Turner said.
