Horry County Schools teacher charged with fatal DUI resigns from district
An Horry County Schools teacher who was charged with a fatal DUI last month has resigned from the district, documents show.
Michael Oerther, who taught math at Ocean Bay Middle School, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence resulting in death at the end of October. He resigned from the district last week, according to documents obtained by The Sun News through a public records request.
His resignation was effective Nov. 5, and he selected “other” on a form from the district asking about the reason for leaving his position. Oerther’s resignation follows the suspension of his educator certificate by the state department of education.
Oerther, who taught more than 20 years in the district, had been placed on administrative leave by HCS following his arrest Oct. 26, 2021.
Oerther had a history of drunk driving arrests years prior to the fatal crash, according to documents in court and within the district. HCS leaders knew of Oerther’s arrests and disciplined him multiple times, records show.
The district placed him on administrative leave in October 2009 following a DUI arrest, according to district records.
In 2002, staff members observed Oerther “behaving as if (he was) under the influence of alcohol” while at a middle school dance, according to a letter to Oerther from the principal of Carolina Forest Middle School at the time. The principal, Wendell Shealy, suggested the superintendent put Oerther on administrative leave following this incident.
This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 10:00 AM.
