Local News
42-year-old James Howar dies after Horry County motorcycle crash
James Howar, a 42-year-old man from Conway, South Carolina, died following a motorcycle crash Sunday night in Horry County, according to authorities.
The fatal collision occurred around 8:15 p.m. on Cates Bay Highway, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.
According to Mitchell Ridgeway, preliminary findings from investigators indicate that the motorcycle crossed the center line of the roadway and collided with a pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported Howar to a medical facility in the Grand Strand area for treatment of severe injuries sustained in the crash.
Despite lifesaving efforts, Howar later died at the hospital, according to Tamara Willard of the Horry County Coroner’s Office.
Authorities said the driver of the pickup truck was not injured during the collision.
Investigators have not yet released additional information regarding what may have caused the motorcycle to cross into oncoming traffic, and officials have not stated whether speed, impairment, or road conditions may have been contributing factors.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the deadly crash.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. โ A 62-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning after a small aircraft crashed in a field in the Whiton community of DeKalb County, Alabama, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Douglas Emge, 62, of Whiton. Emergency crews responded to the crash along County Road 3, where the single-engine aircraft came down behind the Whitton water tank.
According to the DeKalb County Sheriffโs Office, emergency personnel were dispatched to the area following reports of the aircraft crash. DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Posey confirmed that one person died in the incident.
An FAA spokesperson said a Vanโs RV-4 crashed in a field near Albertville at approximately 6:50 a.m. The aircraft had only one person aboard, and Emge was the pilot.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also participating. Investigators will work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Officials have not released a cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. Additional information is expected as investigators examine the aircraft, crash site and other available evidence.
The City of Albertville issued a statement mourning Emge, describing him as a longtime and prominent member of the Albertville Regional Airport community.
According to the city, Doug Emge was the face of Albertville Regional Airport for more than 30 years and was the founder and sole owner of Albertville Aviation, which operated the airportโs fixed-base operator, or FBO.
The city said Emge was known for helping pilots, flight crews and passengers who arrived at the airport, providing assistance with fuel, rental cars, lodging and recommendations in the community.
Albertville officials also described Emge as a Marine veteran, pilot, husband, father and grandfather. The city extended its condolences to his wife, Stacy, his family and the staff and colleagues at Albertville Regional Airport.
The City of Albertville said Emgeโs contributions to the airport, the city and the wider Sand Mountain community would not soon be forgotten.
Emergency crews and investigators remained at the scene as authorities continued their response.
Officials asked members of the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel work at the crash site and the investigation gets underway.
The cause of the fatal DeKalb County plane crash remains under investigation by the NTSB and FAA.