In Sea Pines’ Beach Lagoon neighborhood, scenic waters line the multimillion-dollar homes, but they have also been the site of deadly accidents.
Lagoon Accidents
Twice in three years, vehicles have plunged into the lagoons at night, resulting in three fatalities.
- May 2023: Michael Weingarten, 77, and Neil Hilsen, 81, drowned when the Mazda they were riding in rolled into the lagoon. The driver, Weingarten’s brother, escaped unharmed.
- April 2026: Helen Connors, 90, of Sun City, was found dead in her Lincoln SUV after it sank into another neighborhood lagoon on South Beach Lagoon Drive. Authorities believe the car entered the water the night before, and rescue efforts began the next morning.
Safety Concerns
The accidents have raised questions about whether Sea Pines should install barriers or fencing along the lagoons. Some residents advocate for safety measures, while others worry that barriers could harm the community’s natural beauty and be costly to install.
Hilton Head Town Councilman Steve Alfred noted that although the lagoons are common, cars entering the water is relatively rare. Angie Toth-Mullin, a local property manager, said the narrow roads and parked contractors’ trucks make the area particularly risky for unfamiliar drivers.
Legal Actions
The 2023 deaths led to a pending lawsuit against Sea Pines, claiming insufficient protection against the steep lagoon slopes. Separately, the Mazda’s driver, Barry Weingarten, agreed to a $500,000 settlement with his brother’s wife while denying responsibility for the crash.
Official Statements
Sea Pines Community Services Associates expressed condolences for the April 1 tragedy but declined to comment on potential new safety measures. Investigations by the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol are complete.
Coroner Shane Bowers confirmed that toxicology reports for Connors revealed nothing unusual. SCHP Cpl. Nick Pye said multiple factors could have contributed, including unfamiliarity with the roads, dementia, alcohol, or cellphone use.
