Another life was taken far too soon by the reckless and irresponsible actions of a driver who got behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. The victim was Robert C. Byerly. He was traveling northbound on Highway 701 near Horry County in Loris, South Carolina (SC) when another driver traveling southbound tried to pass going across the center line of the road and wound up slamming into Mr. Byerly’s car. He died at the scene of the car wreck. Mr. Byerly was only 56 years old.
The at-fault driver, who is originally from Tabor City, North Carolina (NC), was charged with a felony DUI, according to wmbfnews.com.
It’s so frustrating hearing about these types of preventable car crash deaths. If only the at-fault driver had exercised a little more responsibility and simply called a cab or a friend to come pick him up, maybe Mr. Byerly would be alive today.
“I hope he has to think everyday that he’s breathing and living that there are people now without a father,” said Wendy Byerly, Mr. Byerly’s daughter.
Mr. Byerly is survived by nine children. My heart goes out to all of them and the rest of his family.
Unfortunately, DUI-related car wrecks are an all-too-common occurrence in the United States. Close to 12,000 people died in car crashes which involved a drunk driver in 2008, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. In fact, drunk driving accidents account for over 30 percent of all car accident deaths in the U.S.
We all need to remember just how risky it is to get behind the wheel after drinking. As we can see from this tragic Loris car wreck, the consequences can be devastating.