CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — A Huger woman died Friday evening after a sudden gust of wind lifted a patio umbrella and struck her while she was dining outdoors at a Summerton restaurant, according to the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office.
Officials said the incident occurred on May 23, 2026, around 7:40 p.m., when dispatch received a call reporting a laceration at Driftwood Grill, which is at 5321 Dingle Pond Road. Clarendon EMS, Fire Rescue, and law enforcement responded.
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When first responders arrived, they found a woman unresponsive with a laceration to the head and neck area. EMS followed protocol but was unable to revive her. She was pronounced dead at 8:43 p.m.
According to the coroner, the woman and her husband had been dining on the restaurant’s patio when a sudden strong wind blew an umbrella from a nearby table, striking her in the head and neck.
The coroner identified the victim as Dana Winger of Huger. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27 at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. The case is being investigated as an accident.
In a statement posted Sunday evening, Driftwood Grill, Home of the Lazy Gator, said the tragedy has deeply affected the community.
“Our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragic incident during last night’s sudden severe weather event at Lake Marion,” the restaurant wrote. The statement also expressed gratitude for emergency personnel and community members who responded and asked for “continued prayers, compassion, and privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Clarendon County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Dana Weinger. Friends later contacted The Berkeley Observer to clarify that her name is spelled Dana Winger.
