Society Hill council mourns 2 men killed in crash
By Bobby Bryant, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Society Hill Town Council took a moment last week to mourn two well-known residents who were killed Sept. 26 when two pickup trucks collided near town.
Johnnie Douglas Sr., 94, and Michael Smith, 71, died in a head-on collision on Society Hill Road when a pickup crossed the center line and hit their vehicle, said Society Hill Mayor Tommy Bradshaw.
“They were real well-known, and well-liked,” Bradshaw said.
Smith was driving a Ford pickup in which Douglas was a passenger. They were heading south on Society Hill Road when a Mazda pickup heading in the opposite direction suddenly crossed the center line, according to the state Highway Patrol.
The Mazda’s driver, whose name had not been publicly released, was injured in the crash and was taken to a local hospital. Bradshaw said that driver is reportedly a woman who lives near Society Hill. Her condition was not known, and it was unclear whether she has been charged in the accident.
Douglas’ obituary on Hines Funeral Home’s website says that he retired from Eastern Alloy Co. in Naugatuck, Ct., after 42 years of service. After retiring, the obituary says, he and his wife, Lala, “returned home” to Society Hill.
Smith’s funeral services also were conducted by Hines Funeral Home, but no obituary was available. One friend posted on his tribute wall: “Mr. Mike, we’re already missing you. … Me, my wife and son always ran into you in this big town. You always were asking how she was doing when she got sick and all. I’d ask, ‘How you getting along?’ You would say, ‘I’m doing real good. I’m here, ain’t I? The Lord has blessed me with another day so I’m good.’ ”
In other business during a very brief meeting Oct. 8, Society Hill Town Council issued a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and presented the proclamation to Sierra Moore of the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault.