A lakeside dinner at a popular Summerton spot turned tragic Saturday night when a patio umbrella tore loose in a sudden burst of wind and fatally struck a woman dining outside at Driftwood Grill, Home of the Lazy Gator, on Lake Marion. First responders rushed in and performed life-saving measures on the patio, but officials say the 56-year-old woman could not be revived, and her death is being treated as an accident.
Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell identified the victim as Dana Weinger, 56, of Huger. Blackwell said the umbrella hit Weinger in the head and neck, and Clarendon County Sheriff Tim Baxley told WIS News 10 the impact severed her carotid artery. Emergency crews found Weinger unresponsive on the patio, administered CPR, and pronounced her dead at the scene, according to the coroner’s office.
Dispatchers received a 911 call around 7:40 p.m. Saturday, and Clarendon County EMS and law enforcement responded to Driftwood Grill, WYFF News 4 reported. The coroner’s office said an autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston as part of the ongoing investigation into what officials are treating as an accidental death.
In the days after the incident, Driftwood Grill posted public condolences to Weinger’s family on social media and told customers it had arranged grief counseling for staff and community members shaken by what happened. Coroner Blackwell described the winds that tore through the area as “a strong, strong wind, like a microburst,” and said furniture and debris were blown into the patio area, according to WRAL.
Why Umbrellas Can Become Deadly
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned that when the wind catches an unsecured umbrella, it is not just a nuisance. Airborne umbrellas have caused lacerations, impalements, and deaths, prompting the agency to issue a safety alert this year that highlights new voluntary standards for sturdier anchors and safer designs. The notice lays out tips for securing umbrellas and references a new voluntary standard, ASTM F3681-24, for beach-umbrella anchors; the full guidance is available from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
These incidents are not as rare as many people might assume. A 2021 analysis in the Journal of Safety Research estimated that thousands of beach and patio-umbrella injuries were treated at U.S. emergency departments between 2000 and 2019. Head and neck injuries were common, and wind was a factor in many of the reported cases.
Investigation and Community Aftermath
Clarendon County officials say they are reviewing official weather data from Saturday evening to better understand the conditions at the time of the accident, according to WIS News 10. Investigators continue to treat the death as accidental, WYFF News 4 reported. The coroner and local law enforcement have asked for privacy for the family while the medical examiner’s report and autopsy findings are finalized.
The incident has drawn wide local coverage, including a segment on Action News at 6 p.m. on 6abc. Driftwood Grill has publicly thanked first responders and emphasized support resources for staff and patrons affected by the tragedy. Officials and safety experts say the case is a stark reminder to secure outdoor umbrellas and close them when strong winds or storms are in the forecast.
