Girl, 12, Killed in Church Parking Lot Crash in Horry Co., SC

Horry County, SC (September 18, 2026) – A 12-year-old girl died after a car backed into her in a church parking lot on Cedar Branch Road on Wednesday, September 16.

The Horry County Fire said the accident happened at 9:59 p.m. The car, a 2026 Nissan Rogue, then struck the church building.

She was taken to a hospital, where she lost her life. The driver was also taken to a hospital, and no further information about the driver was released.

Authorities continue to investigate.

Our deepest condolences go out to the girl's family and loved ones.

How South Carolina Handles Wrongful Death Claims for Minors in Horry County, SC

When a child dies because of another party's negligence, South Carolina's wrongful death law sets out who may bring a claim. The action is generally filed by the personal representative of the child's estate, who acts for the family members the law names as beneficiaries. 

For a child, that group generally includes the parents. The estate usually needs someone formally appointed to that role before a claim can move forward, and the appointment can take time.

Damages in these claims can reach beyond funeral and medical expenses. Beneficiaries may seek compensation for grief, mental shock and suffering, and the loss of a child's companionship, and punitive damages may apply when the conduct was reckless. 

A separate survival claim, brought by the estate, can address medical bills and any pain the child experienced before death. A child has not yet built a work history, so projecting lost future earnings is harder, which is one reason the evidence behind each type of loss matters.

Settlements in wrongful death claims can also require court approval, particularly when minors are among the beneficiaries or when the money must be divided among several family members. 

A wrongful death lawyer can help a family confirm who may serve as personal representative, identify every potentially responsible party and insurance policy, and explain how court approval and the three-year filing deadline that generally applies may shape the timeline.

Families facing the loss of a child usually have questions about who can file and how a claim is divided. At The Arndt Law Firm, we can explain how South Carolina's wrongful death process works for minors and which documents may help. 

If it would be useful to talk through your case, you can call The Arndt Law Firm at (843) 310-4645. We are here available to answer all your questions.

Note: This post has been prepared using information gathered from publicly available secondary sources. The details of the incident have not been independently verified. If you notice any inaccuracies, please contact The Arndt Law Firm so we can promptly review and update the content to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. This content does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not constitute a solicitation for legal services. If you have been injured in an accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. Any photographs included in this post are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual scene of the accident.