HORRY COUNTY, S.C. — A deadly road-rage confrontation on Highway 90 near Long Bay Road has resulted in the death of Paul Jones Greenwood, 33, of Nichols, and the arrest of Elijaih Thurman Taylor, 23, of Nakina, North Carolina, who now faces a charge of murder, according to authorities. The fatal shooting followed a multi-vehicle crash Tuesday morning and unfolded in front of multiple witnesses, some of whom captured the incident on video.
Investigators say the chain of events began around 7:45 a.m. when a white pickup truck, driven by Greenwood, swerved to avoid another vehicle while traveling along Highway 90. The maneuver caused the pickup to collide with a Honda Civic and a third vehicle before the truck veered off the roadway and came to rest in a ditch. Witnesses reported that several people exited their vehicles following the crash.
According to arrest warrants and police reports, Greenwood exited his pickup truck and became involved in a heated argument with the driver of the Honda Civic, later identified as Taylor. What began as a roadside confrontation quickly escalated. Authorities say multiple gunshots were fired during the argument, a sequence that was captured on bystander video and is now a key piece of evidence in the investigation.
Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard confirmed that Greenwood died from gunshot wounds sustained during the altercation. Emergency responders were called to the scene, but Greenwood was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries.
Taylor, who was driving the Honda Civic bearing North Carolina license plates, was taken into custody and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He is currently being held without bond at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, according to Horry County spokesperson Thomas Bell.
Witnesses Khadijah Hemingway and her mother, Evettie, who were also involved in the crash, told investigators they saw Taylor standing nearby as he fired the weapon. Their statements, along with video footage from the scene, are part of the ongoing homicide investigation.
The shooting prompted the closure of Highway 90 for several hours between Star Bluff Road and Long Bay Road as law enforcement processed the scene, collected evidence, and interviewed witnesses. The roadway was reopened by early afternoon once investigators cleared the area.
As the investigation continues, friends and loved ones are mourning the loss of Paul Jones Greenwood. A GoFundMe page established to support his family describes him as “a loving father, brother, son, and friend who meant so much to everyone who knew him.” Greenwood is survived by his girlfriend, Brittany Johnson, and three children, whose lives have been forever altered by the tragic events of Tuesday morning.
Authorities emphasize that the case remains under active investigation and that additional details may be released as detectives continue to review evidence and witness accounts. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly everyday roadway encounters can escalate into irreversible tragedy.
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