Fatal Bicycle Collision Reported on U.S. Highway 21 in Seabrook, Officials Say
Seabrook, SC, (July 06, 2025) - Authorities are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of 50-year-old bicyclist Vick Smalls over the Fourth of July weekend in northern Beaufort County.
Vick Smalls, 50, was tragically struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle in Seabrook over the Fourth of July weekend, authorities said.
According to initial reports, Smalls and a blue Ford were both heading south on U.S. Highway 21 (Trask Parkway) near Bruce K. Smalls Drive in the Seabrook area sometime between 8 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday. The vehicle struck Smalls and fled the scene.
Tragically, Smalls, a Beaufort resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the suspect vehicle may have sustained damage to its passenger-side front headlight. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
From January 1, 2020 to June 16, 2024, Beaufort County has seen approximately 15,489 traffic accidents, resulting in 103 fatalities and 6,314 injuries, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. The recent hit-and-run crash that killed bicyclist Vick Smalls tragically underscores the vulnerability of cyclists on area roads.
“Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable on the road, and many factors can contribute to serious crashes,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “It is imperative to determine the exact cause of these types of accidents. An attorney has the resources to review applicable insurance coverage, hire expert witnesses, run background checks, and locate witnesses. We carefully guide the family of the victim through the process.”
Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney, noted that fleeing the scene of a crash is not only a criminal offense, but also opens the door to civil liability. “Hit-and-run drivers are subject to criminal charges following a crash that injures or kills a bicyclist or pedestrian,” she said. “Separate from those charges, victims and their families may pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit.”
Bond emphasized that accountability and justice are critical for grieving families facing such senseless loss.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the family of Vick Smalls may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Surviving family members may seek compensation for loss of companionship, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses following this tragic incident.
“Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and a national analyst for The Legal Advocate.
“An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource to help guide a family during this difficult time and ensure that those left behind receive the restitution they are entitled to,” Bond added.
A skilled attorney can also work alongside investigators to secure critical evidence, identify liable parties, and pursue justice on behalf of the victim’s loved ones.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a hit-and-run, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free, no-obligation consultation.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).