A tragic head-on collision in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, early Friday morning claimed the lives of five people, including a respected Greenville police sergeant, while another officer remains in critical condition after being airlifted to a hospital. The devastating crash has left multiple communities grieving as investigators continue working to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the collision occurred around 12:45 a.m. along Highway 101 near the Bellview Road extension. Authorities said a 2025 Ford SUV traveling northbound and a 2016 Toyota SUV traveling southbound collided head-on, causing catastrophic damage to both vehicles and triggering a major emergency response.
Officials confirmed that Sgt. Ashley Munoz of the Greenville Police Department was among those killed in the crash. Munoz, a dedicated 11-year veteran of the department, had earned widespread respect throughout her law enforcement career. Promoted to sergeant in 2023, she supervised several important divisions within the Criminal Investigations Division, including Property Crimes, Financial Crimes, and Family Crimes.
Greenville Police also confirmed that Sgt. Diana Munoz, Ashley’s spouse and the department’s Public Information Officer, survived the crash but sustained critical injuries. Diana Munoz, who has served with the department for more than 12 years and was promoted to sergeant in 2022, was airlifted to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Officials stated that the couple had been returning home from vacation at the time of the collision. They are also the parents of two young children, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking for family, friends, and fellow officers.
Authorities identified two victims traveling in the Ford SUV as 50-year-old Deborah Sue Wyatt and 46-year-old Max Douglas Wyatt Jr., both residents of Duncan, South Carolina. Deborah Wyatt was pronounced dead at the scene, while Max Wyatt later died at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center despite emergency medical efforts.
The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Sgt. Ashley Munoz, 35, of Woodruff, was one of three occupants in the Toyota SUV who lost their lives. The identities of the remaining victims in the Toyota have not yet been publicly released pending notification of family members.
News of the deadly crash has sent shockwaves through both the Greenville Police Department and the surrounding community. Fellow officers, friends, and residents have expressed deep sorrow as tributes continue pouring in for all those who lost their lives in the devastating accident.
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 visit the memorial site to pay their respects, leave flowers, and support the Munoz family and members of the Greenville Police Department during this incredibly difficult time.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash. Authorities are expected to review roadway conditions, vehicle data, witness statements, and other evidence as they work to determine what caused the fatal head-on collision. Further updates may be released as the investigation progresses.
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