LITTLE RIVER, SC (WMBF) – Imagine taking 20 minutes to get two-tenths of a mile from your house. For some in Little River, that’s reality.

This is due to the intersection of SC 9 and SC 57, which is now considered the most accident-prone in the county. Data from the South Carolina Highway Patrol shows that there have been 49 accidents at this intersection since 2020.

“I’m really scared of getting hit,” said Leesa Zayas.

Zayas moved to Little River in June 2023 and said she has seen a lot in her time here.

“I’ve seen a lot of near misses, I’ve seen a few accidents down there,” she said. “One time I saw a woman walk into the middle and almost collide head-on with the police officer.”

Data shows that the intersection at SC 9 and SC 57 has 12 more accidents than the second-highest crashed intersection on the list in Horry County, which is at the intersection of Wright Boulevard and Church Street in Conway.

Zayas said these numbers are worrying, adding that something needs to change.

“I don’t want it to take a death for someone to do something about the crossings here,” she explained.

William Goldfinch, vice chairman of the Ride 4 road construction project in Horry County, said he also recognizes the need for change.

“The reality is that the county continues to grow and more people move here, so we have more traffic. And the need for infrastructure continues to grow,” Goldfinch said.

While he believes the tax referendum on the ballot in November will help, he acknowledges that change takes time.

“We will probably see some movement in this regard in the next five to 15 years,” he explained.

For now, Zayas will continue to do everything she can to ensure her safety.

“I try to be careful and keep enough distance. But sometimes it’s difficult because there is so much traffic,” she said.

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