Deborah Wyatt Obituary, South Carolina Car Accident Death: South Carolina Head-On Crash Kills 5, Including Police Sergeant; Fellow Officer Airlifted
The Spartanburg County community and members of law enforcement across South Carolina are mourning following a devastating head-on collision that claimed the lives of five people early Friday morning, including Greenville Police Sergeant Ashley Munoz and Duncan resident Deborah Sue Wyatt.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred around 12:45 a.m. on Highway 101 near the Bellview Road extension in Spartanburg County. Investigators said a 2025 Ford SUV traveling northbound and a 2016 Toyota SUV traveling southbound collided head-on, causing catastrophic damage to both vehicles.
Authorities confirmed that 50-year-old Deborah Sue Wyatt and 46-year-old Max Douglas Wyatt Jr., both of Duncan, were occupants of the Ford SUV. Deborah Wyatt was pronounced dead at the scene, while Max Wyatt later succumbed to his injuries at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
Greenville Police also confirmed that Sgt. Ashley Munoz, a respected 11-year veteran of the department, was among those killed in the Toyota SUV. Munoz had dedicated years of service to the Greenville Police Department and had been promoted to sergeant in 2023. She supervised several units within the Criminal Investigations Division, including Property Crimes, Financial Crimes, and Family Crimes.
Officials said Sgt. Diana Munoz, Ashley’s spouse and the department’s Public Information Officer, survived the crash but suffered critical injuries. Diana Munoz, a more than 12-year veteran of the department who was promoted to sergeant in 2022, was airlifted to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Authorities said the couple had been returning home from vacation at the time of the collision and are the parents of two young children.
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office confirmed that a total of five people died in the crash. The identities of the remaining victims traveling in the Toyota SUV have not yet been publicly released pending notification of family members.
News of the tragedy has sent shockwaves throughout South Carolina, particularly within the law enforcement community, where Sgt. Ashley Munoz was widely respected for her leadership, dedication, and service. Friends, fellow officers, and community members have begun sharing heartfelt tributes honoring both her professional commitment and personal impact on those around her.
A memorial honoring Sgt. Ashley Munoz has been established at the City of Greenville Public Safety Campus located at 204 Halton Road. Community members have been invited to pay their respects and support the Munoz family and the Greenville Police Department during this deeply painful time.
Meanwhile, loved ones of Deborah Wyatt and Max Wyatt are also grieving an unimaginable loss as family, friends, and neighbors remember them with sorrow and compassion.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly collision. Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding factors that may have contributed to the crash.
As the investigation moves forward, communities across Spartanburg, Duncan, and Greenville remain united in mourning, remembrance, and support for all families affected by the tragedy.