Sumter County Woman Identified in Fatal Crash
SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — Authorities have identified the woman who tragically lost her life in a crash on Tuesday in Sumter County as 45-year-old Melinda Jene Horne.
The collision occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Beulah-Cuttino Road, according to the Sumter County Coroner’s Office. Horne sustained critical injuries during the incident and was transported to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, where medical staff worked tirelessly in an effort to save her. Despite those efforts, she later passed away.
Officials confirmed that an autopsy is scheduled for Friday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to determine the precise cause of death. Both the Sumter County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol are leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
At this stage, law enforcement has not released further details about what led to the collision or whether additional vehicles were involved. The case remains under active investigation as authorities seek to establish the full sequence of events.
Horne’s passing underscores a troubling trend of rising roadway fatalities in South Carolina, where traffic deaths continue to climb. Officials are once again urging motorists to drive with caution, particularly along rural roads where sudden changes in visibility, speed, and road conditions can quickly contribute to accidents.
Beyond the statistics, however, her death represents the heartbreaking loss of a life filled with love, family, and community connections. Friends and relatives describe Melinda Jene Horne as a beloved individual who will be remembered with deep affection. Her untimely passing has left a void in the lives of those closest to her, as well as in the Sumter County community she called home.
As the investigation moves forward, her family and friends are left to grieve while seeking comfort in the cherished memories they hold. Additional updates are expected as investigators release more findings regarding the cause of the crash.
