A female passenger on a motorcycle was killed Wednesday night in a
collision with a car at the intersection of Cross Creek Connector and
Highway 72 in Greenwood, near Buck Stove Pool & Spa. The victim’s name was
not released pending notification of her family. The driver of the
motorcycle, who friends and witnesses said was the woman’s husband, was
airlifted by helicopter to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment. A
spokesman at the hospital confirmed his arrival, but could not give a
status report as of 10:45 p.m. Three people were in the maroon four-door
sedan that reportedly struck the motorcycle about 8 p.m. — a driver, a
front-seat passenger and a child in the back seat, said Maj. James
Marshall, of Greenwood police. Those three were taken to Self Regional
Healthcare for treatment. Details of the wreck were not released pending
further investigation. “We’ve got so many witnesses to interview,” Marshall
said. “We really don’t know at this point (what happened).” He did say the
couple were ejected from the motorcycle, which came to rest under the
vehicle. The car ended up in the median, perpendicular to traffic.
Assisting at the scene was Greenwood County EMS and the State Highway
Patrol. Neither Marshall nor deputy coroner Steve Owings could confirm or
deny the victim was wearing a helmet. “We’ll find out, though,” Owings
said. He confirmed the woman’s death at the scene. Zachary Grindell, a
friend of the couple who was riding his motorcycle alongside them, told
authorities the victim was wearing a helmet. “She was the only one wearing
a helmet,” Grindell said. “That girl always wears her lid. ‘I live by
that.’ That’s the last thing she told me last night. “They are the sweetest
couple I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I’ve never seen two people more
meant for each other. And now they got a baby without a mother.” Zachary’s
mother, Jackie Grindell, said “last night I rode with them. We were just
slow cruising. I’ve even been on the back of (the male victim’s) bike. “It
doesn’t seem right. These are good kids. They were sober. They don’t drink
and drive. They don’t do drugs.” Looking over the debris from the wreck,
she sobbed, “There’s just no reason for that.” “The minute it happened,”
she cried, “(Zachary) started yelling for help. But he didn’t have a cell
phone or anything. He ran up to her, she looked up at him and died right
there in his arms. “I feel so much for him right now. He’s never even been
to a funeral.” A large crowd of curious onlookers watched from the sidewalk
in front of Greenwood Mall. The woman’s body remained in the second
eastbound lane covered by a white sheet for almost two hours before it was
finally placed in a body bag by EMS workers under the close supervision of
coroners. Traffic on Highway 72 East was detoured around the scene. A
single lane remained open on Highway 72 West.
I remember this one now- she was 26 and left behind a 2 year old son. Sad.
