Peter Pulkkinen Obituary, Death – The driver who lost his life in a collision involving a Myrtle Beach Fire Department vehicle has been named. Horry County Deputy Coroner Michelle McSpadden confirmed on Monday that 95-year-old Peter Pulkkinen died after being rushed to the hospital early Saturday morning.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the fatal incident occurred when a Myrtle Beach Fire Department pickup truck, which was equipped with its lights and sirens activated, was traveling northbound on Highway 17. The truck collided with a Ford sedan that Pulkkinen was driving. Troopers reported that Pulkkinen was in the process of turning onto the highway when the accident occurred.
Emergency medical assistance was provided at the scene by Myrtle Beach Fire Department personnel, but Pulkkinen later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The Myrtle Beach Fire Department confirmed in a statement that their vehicle was en route to a structure fire call at approximately 6 a.m. when the crash took place. The pickup truck, which was responding to the emergency call, had two fire department employees on board at the time of the incident. Fortunately, neither of the firefighters was injured in the crash.
The department expressed their condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to everyone involved.”
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the collision to determine the factors that led to the accident.