Officials said a sudden burst of severe weather sent outdoor furniture flying across a crowded restaurant patio near Lake Marion.
SUMMERTON, S.C. — A 56-year-old woman died after a restaurant patio umbrella was lifted by strong winds and struck her in the neck while she was dining outdoors with family members over Memorial Day weekend, authorities in central South Carolina said.
The fatal accident happened Saturday evening at Driftwood Grill Home of the Lazy Gator, a popular lakeside restaurant near Lake Marion. Investigators said the woman, identified as Dana Weinger of Huger, was eating with relatives on the outdoor patio when severe weather swept through the area. Emergency crews responded within minutes, but Weinger died at the scene from catastrophic injuries. Officials described the incident as a rare weather-related accident that shocked witnesses, restaurant workers and first responders.
Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell said a sudden and powerful burst of wind tore through the restaurant shortly after diners had gathered outside during the busy holiday weekend. Blackwell described the weather event as similar to a microburst, with enough force to overturn patio furniture and send loose objects airborne. According to investigators, one umbrella detached from a table and struck Weinger in the throat area. Sheriff Tim Baxley said the impact severed a major artery, causing fatal injuries before emergency crews could stabilize her. Witnesses told deputies that customers and employees rushed to help moments after the accident occurred. Several diners attempted to provide aid while paramedics arrived at the restaurant along the lakefront. Blackwell said Weinger’s husband and additional relatives were nearby when the incident unfolded. “This is not an everyday occurrence,” Blackwell said while describing the scene investigators encountered. “It was a tragic and sudden accident.”
Authorities said weather conditions changed rapidly Saturday night as storms moved through parts of central South Carolina. The National Weather Service had reported periods of gusty winds and isolated severe weather in the region during the holiday weekend. Investigators have not indicated whether the umbrella had been secured improperly or whether any mechanical failure contributed to the accident. Officials said the death currently appears to be accidental, though a full autopsy was scheduled for later this week at the Medical University of South Carolina. Deputies and emergency personnel spent several hours interviewing witnesses and documenting conditions around the restaurant patio after the area was cleared. Some witnesses told investigators that chairs, tables and decorative items were pushed across the deck by the sudden wind. Authorities have not released information about the exact wind speed recorded at the restaurant at the time of the incident. The sheriff’s office said no additional injuries were reported despite the crowded conditions at the business during the dinner rush.
Driftwood Grill sits along Lake Marion, one of South Carolina’s largest lakes and a major destination for boating, fishing and holiday tourism. Restaurants and businesses around the lake often rely on outdoor dining areas during the spring and summer months, particularly during Memorial Day weekend when visitor traffic increases sharply. Sudden thunderstorms and isolated wind events are common across the region during late May, though officials said fatalities involving airborne patio equipment are extremely rare. Residents in the area said the accident quickly became the focus of conversation throughout the small Clarendon County community. The restaurant issued a public statement expressing sympathy for Weinger’s family and acknowledging the emotional impact on employees, customers and emergency responders who witnessed the incident. Management said support and counseling resources were being offered to staff members and others affected by the tragedy. Local officials said grief counselors and clergy members had also spoken with family members and restaurant workers in the days following the accident.
The Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office and coroner’s office continue reviewing witness accounts, weather conditions and evidence collected from the patio area. Officials said investigators are also examining whether additional safety recommendations may be considered for outdoor dining setups during severe weather conditions. No criminal charges have been announced, and authorities have not suggested that foul play was involved. The coroner’s office said preliminary findings support investigators’ conclusion that the death resulted from accidental trauma. A formal autopsy report is expected after examinations are completed this week. Local officials said additional findings could help determine the exact sequence of events during the brief but violent weather episode. The sheriff’s office has not announced whether a final investigative report will be released publicly. Meanwhile, restaurant operations were temporarily disrupted as employees and owners dealt with the aftermath of the fatal incident and coordinated with investigators.
Neighbors and customers described the restaurant as a well-known gathering place where families often spend evenings overlooking the lake. Several residents said they struggled to understand how an ordinary patio umbrella could become deadly within seconds. One customer who visited the area the following day said flowers had been placed near the restaurant entrance as community members stopped to express condolences. Employees returned to work while continuing to process the emotional effects of the tragedy, according to restaurant management. In its public statement, the restaurant said the incident had “deeply affected many people in our community.” Blackwell said conversations with Weinger’s relatives were emotional as investigators worked to reconstruct the event. Authorities said emergency responders and witnesses also faced traumatic scenes while attempting lifesaving efforts. Community members have continued sharing condolences online and at local churches and businesses near the lakefront town.
The investigation remained active Tuesday as officials awaited autopsy results and additional weather data connected to the storm system that moved through Clarendon County. Authorities said no timetable has been announced for the release of a final report, though investigators expect to complete the initial review in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated May 26, 2026.