Myrtle Beach, S.C. — Bond was set at $20,000 Thursday for 18-year-old Nathan Arroyo after a reckless homicide charge in a deadly September crash on the U.S. 17 Bypass.
Arroyo was arrested Wednesday, Oct. 7, by U.S. marshals working with Myrtle Beach police. Municipal Judge Byron David set a $20,000 cash or surety bond and ordered no contact with the victim’s family. Accounts of the bond conditions differed on whether Arroyo may keep driving while the case proceeds.
Police say the three-vehicle crash happened about 9:20 a.m. Sept. 27 near Pine Island Road and the U.S. 17 Bypass. Investigators allege Arroyo was driving a Ford F-150 north when he crossed the median into southbound lanes and struck a Chevrolet Traverse driven by 37-year-old Serhii Babak. A Chevrolet Cruze then hit Babak’s vehicle from behind.
A witness reported the pickup had passed several vehicles at a high rate of speed before losing control. Both the truck and the Traverse suffered major front-end damage and caught fire. Babak was taken to Grand Strand Medical Center and later died of his injuries, the Horry County Coroner’s Office confirmed in earlier reporting.
Babak had moved to Myrtle Beach from Ukraine with his wife, Inna, and their son about two months before the crash. He worked as a cook at Atmosphera bistro, where Inna is the head chef. A restaurant fundraiser had raised more than $24,000 by Oct. 8 to help with funeral costs and living expenses.
Prosecutor Katie Owens asked for a higher bond and home detention, saying a wife and son had lost their father. Defense attorney Russell Long sought a lower bond so Arroyo could keep working and described the wreck as bad driving. Arroyo’s next court date was set for Dec. 11. A charge is an accusation, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
