A Galax woman faces several charges after she was arrested July 16 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. after alleging driving a car onto the beach.
Multiple media outlets along the Grand Strand reported about the July 16 arrest of Lauren Markee Hodge, 34, of Galax, who was charged with ordinance/vehicle prohibited to drive on beach/public marsh, first-offense driving without a license, and reckless driving.
According to media reports, Myrtle Beach police were dispatched to 10th Avenue South for a beach-related call at approximately 2 a.m. on the morning of July 16.
The Galax woman drove her car onto the beach “at such high speeds” that she made it to the water line at low tide, according to the arrest report, forcing some witnesses to run out of the way of the oncoming vehicle. One witness described the vehicle as going airborne for a brief period of time once it hit a drop between the asphalt and sand.
It is unlawful to drive on the beach in the City of Myrtle Beach and Horry County to drive on the beach except in the cases of essential vehicles such as first responders or local government employees. The report also noted that police on scene later learned Hodge’s driver’s license in Virginia had been suspended.