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Lula A. Webber

Age : 74

Gender : Female

Race : White

Date : 08/27/2025

Location : Pamplico Highway at Willow Creek Road

City : Florence County

County : Florence

State : South Carolina

Agency : Florence County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) :Christian Godwin

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Bystander killed by police vehicle

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/27/2025, 74-year-old Lula Ann Webber of Gresham was driving a Chevrolet Trailblazer north on Pamplico Highway when Florence County Sheriff’s Deputy Christian Godwin, driving an on-duty sheriff’s cruiser east on Willow Creek Road, entered the intersection and struck Webber’s vehicle. Godwin was traveling to provide backup to another officer.
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A South Carolina Highway Patrol collision report obtained in February 2026 determined that Godwin disregarded the stop sign on Willow Creek Road as he attempted to cross Pamplico Highway. Webber had the right of way on Pamplico Highway. Godwin’s cruiser struck her Trailblazer in the intersection.
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The Trailblazer’s passenger was seriously injured. Webber was transported to a hospital, where she died from her injuries. The Florence County Coroner’s Office identified her as Lula A. Webber, 74. Obituary records identify her full name as Lula Ann Webber and confirm that she died on August 27 at age 74.
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Florence County Sheriff’s Office Chief Tommy Sullivan later said an open laptop inside Godwin’s patrol vehicle restricted his visibility and contributed to the crash. Following Webber’s death, the Sheriff’s Office changed its policy to require deputies to keep their laptops closed while their vehicles are moving.
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Godwin was not placed on administrative leave or restricted duty following the fatal crash and returned to patrol. Sullivan said the department gave Godwin verbal or written counseling related to the collision.
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Webber’s son, Joey Cannon, said his mother had been caring for her homebound husband and was on her way to run errands and have lunch with her aunt when she was killed. After learning that Godwin had returned to patrol duty, Cannon publicly called for greater accountability for his mother’s death.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND
Florence County Sheriff’s Deputy Christian Godwin was driving the patrol vehicle that struck and killed Lula Webber. The South Carolina Highway Patrol determined that Godwin disregarded the stop sign while crossing Pamplico Highway. The Florence County Sheriff’s Office subsequently gave Godwin verbal or written counseling, and he returned to patrol duty.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wpde.com/news/local/multi-vehicle-crash-blocks-westbound-lanes-of-pamplico-hwy-willow-creek-road-south-carolina-florence-county-emergency-management
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/south-carolina-highway-patrol-investigating-164147424.html
https://www.wmbfnews.com/2026/02/04/report-florence-county-deputy-contributed-deadly-crash/
https://www.wmbfnews.com/2026/02/06/son-woman-killed-after-florence-deputy-disregarded-stop-sign-calls-accountability/