Nurse, 66, is killed on the sand in Myrtle Beach by police truck on patrol: 'Oh my God, the scream'

A beloved Myrtle Beach nurse has been killed by a police truck which struck her as she lay relaxing on the sand in what appears to have been a horrific accident. 

Sandra Schultz-Peters, 66, was fatally hit by the vehicle at Nash Beach in South Carolina on Thursday afternoon, police have confirmed. 

The beach was packed at the time, and horrified witnesses have recalled hearing a scream at the point of impact before several people rushed to help.    

Onlooker Amanda Bilodeau described what happened. 'I heard and saw nothing until I heard her scream and it was the most powerful scream, something that you can't, like nothing from the movies or anything,' she told WMBF News. 

'It was just like pure fear or pain or both. Immediately myself and probably everybody on the beach turned around and just went running.'

Nurse Sandra Schultz-Peters, 66, was fatally hit by a Horry County Police vehicle at Nash Beach in South Carolina on Thursday afternoon, police have confirmed

Photographs posted online show dozens of people crowded around the Horry County Police Department vehicle in the sand during the aftermath. 

Another witness, Dennis Miller, said he was among those who tried to free Schultz-Peters from beneath the truck.

'She was pinned underneath the vehicle, so a bunch of men, we came over, we did our best to lift the car up off of her,' he told WMBF. 

Schultz-Peters was rushed to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, where she later died, authorities have confirmed. 

South Carolina Highway Patrol said it is investigating the incident, while Horry County Police said the officer who was driving the vehicle has been placed on administrative leave. 

Schultz-Peters' brother, David Schultz, said she was well known at the beach because she walked long distances with her dogs there every day, sometimes as much as 10 miles

Nash Beach was packed at the time, and horrified witnesses have recalled hearing a scream at the point of impact before several people rushed to help

'What occurred on the beach yesterday was a tragedy and we know our community is hurting,' the department said in a statement on Friday.

'Our hearts are with all those impacted by this loss. We also know our community has questions. We do too.

'We have a responsibility to ensure the investigations—both external and internal—occur without delay or interference. 

'Horry County Police Department is providing any access and information that South Carolina Highway Patrol may require to complete their investigation.

'At this time, the officer involved is on administrative leave.

'We stand ready to provide what support we can to our community and the family experiencing this tragic loss.'

'Sandy was probably the best person I ever had in my life,' her brother David Schultz said

Horry County Police said the officer who was driving the vehicle has been placed on administrative leave

Schultz-Peters' brother, David Schultz, said she was well known at the beach because she walked long distances with her dogs there every day, sometimes as much as 10 miles. 

'That morning that she passed, I was with her three times' he told WNBF. 

'She is well, well, well missed. God put her on this earth for a reason I believe and someone took it away and I'll deal with that down the road. 

'Sandy was probably the best person I ever had in my life.'

'It's killing me, it's really hurting, really bad,' he added. 'I'm just trying to keep everything together, but I'm the one that's loosing it the most.'