Motorcyclist Identified in Fatal Georgetown County Crash
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. — The Georgetown County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of the man killed in a motorcycle accident on Friday night along Highway 17 at Petigru Road.
Coroner Chase Ridgeway confirmed that the victim was Russ Widmer, 66, of Myrtle Beach. Widmer died after his motorcycle was involved in a crash around 9 p.m. Friday in the Pawleys Island area.
Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene, but despite their efforts, Widmer was pronounced dead shortly after the collision. Details about what caused the accident have not yet been released, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation to determine the sequence of events that led to the crash.
Widmer’s death has sent ripples through the Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island communities. Friends and neighbors remember him as a kind-hearted man with a passion for riding. For many in the area, his loss is a sobering reminder of the risks motorcyclists face on busy highways like U.S. 17, a route known for heavy traffic, sharp turns, and frequent accidents.
Highway 17 serves as a major thoroughfare along South Carolina’s coast, and Petigru Road is a well-traveled local intersection. Residents say the stretch of highway where the crash occurred has long been a concern due to visibility issues and fast-moving traffic.
Authorities are urging drivers to remain alert, share the road responsibly with motorcyclists, and exercise caution, especially at night when visibility is limited.
Funeral arrangements for Russ Widmer have not yet been announced.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.