Mallory Beach and fellow passengers were boating in the Archer’s Creek area of Beaufort County, SC, during the early morning of February 24th. The 17-foot boat crashed into a bridge near the Malecon Dr. Bridge around 2:00 a.m. According to police reports, the drivers of the boat were “grossly intoxicated” and all passengers were under the age of 21. This includes Mallory Beach, who was 19 years old when she was thrown overboard from the impact of the crash.
Mallory’s Body Was Missing For 7 Days
The Burton Fire District, Town of Port Royal Fire Department, and the Beaufort Fire Department responded to the emergency call at 2:26 a.m. After the crash, Mallory was nowhere to be found and emergency crews immediately began searching for her.
Mallory’s body was found this past Sunday near the Broad River Boat Landing and was confirmed by officials to be her as the clothing on the body was similar to what she was wearing on the day of the incident. Her body was found by a local boater in Beaufort County and has been taken custody of by the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office. The coroner’s office later reported that she had died of drowning and secondary blunt force.
Unknown Cause of Crash
The boat carried six passengers, all of whom were friends, making their way back from an oyster roast that evening. Mallory’s boyfriend, Anthony Cook, said Mallory was sitting on his lap when she was ejected from the boat when it crashed into the bridge. Four of the passengers were taken to Beaufort County Memorial Hospital for treatment and police interviews about the incident. A fifth passenger, Anthony Cook, refused to get hospital treatment. The injuries of all five passengers were described as non-life threatening.
It is still unclear how the boat crashed into the bridge as authorities are still working to determine who the driver of the boat was. Department of Natural Resources officers reported that all passengers were intoxicated but sobriety tests were not administered. This was because the driver wasn’t identified and that testing more than one person could lead to the case being dismissed if charges were filed. According to the Port Royal Police Department, officers have managed to narrow down the driver to one of two people on the boat.
Support and Prayers From The Community
A former student at the University of South Carolina and the youngest of three sisters, Mallory will be missed by many. She was described by her sister, Savannah, as always being happy and people loved being around her. Her father, Phillip Beach, told The Beaufort Gazette and The Island Packet that Mallory was a faithful Christian and that his daughter’s death should serve as a reminder for parents to love their children and pray to the Lord in times of need. Phillip also expressed his gratitude for all of the local help, support, and prayers his family received.
“There was just such overwhelming support and prayers for our family,” said Mallory’s Uncle, Randy Beach.
There were more than $3,500 raised to buy supplies such as sunscreen, snacks, water and gas for search crews. Supplies were placed in white bags marked with hearts and #FindMallory writing. $1,400 online donations were made in just a few days which will go to the Beach Family or a charity of their choice.
As advocates of justice and social responsibility, every member of the team at The Eichholz Law Firm wants to express our deepest condolences to the family of Mallory Beach.
- Moss, Teresa. “Female body found near Beaufort County crash site where teen went missing, officials say“, The Island Packet, https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/crime/article227060784.html. Accessed March 7, 2019.
- Moss, Teresa. “No Sobriety tests offered to boater in fatal Beaufort County boating crash, officials says“, The Island Packet, https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/crime/article227148304.html. Accessed March 7, 2019.
- Fastenau, Stephen. “‘God give us closure’: Mallory Beach’s family grateful for support, end of crash search“, The Island Packet, https://www.islandpacket.com/latest-news/article227078864.html. Accessed March 7, 2019.