A tragic and unusual accident at a South Carolina restaurant has left a community in mourning after a woman was killed while dining with her husband over the weekend.
Around 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, emergency dispatchers received a 911 call reporting an incident at the Driftwood Grill Home of the Lazy Gator at Lake Marion in Summerton. When first responders arrived at the scene, they discovered a woman suffering from a severe laceration to the head and neck. Despite immediate response efforts, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office, the woman had been seated on the restaurant’s outdoor patio with her husband when a sudden and powerful gust of wind caused a patio umbrella to dislodge from a table. The umbrella was lifted by the wind and struck her in the head and neck area, resulting in fatal injuries. Authorities have described the incident as a tragic accident.
On Monday, officials identified the victim as Dana Weinger of Huger, South Carolina. An autopsy has been scheduled for May 27 at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. The case remains under investigation, though no foul play is suspected.
The Driftwood Grill issued a public statement expressing deep sorrow over the incident and gratitude to emergency personnel, including the Clarendon County Fire Department, the Fire Marshal’s Office, chaplains, and grief support teams who responded and provided assistance to those affected.
The restaurant noted that the tragedy has deeply impacted staff, guests, first responders, and members of the local community. Support services and grief counseling resources have been made available for those struggling in the aftermath of the event.
Authorities have released no further details at this time. The community continues to extend thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the family and all those affected by the heartbreaking accident.
