Myrtle Beach Councilman Faces DUI Charges Following Arrest

Myrtle Beach Councilman William Wayne Gray Arrested for DUI

Oh Myrtle Beach, we’ve got some juicy news rolling in! In a stunning turn of events, former Myrtle Beach Councilman and Ride 4 Chairman William Wayne Gray, aged 56, found himself behind bars this past Wednesday night, November 20th. The South Carolina Highway Patrol wasted no time in charging him with first offense driving under the influence and a hit-and-run involving property damage after an incident that occurred late in the evening.

What Happened?

According to the books at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, Gray was arrested at the late hour of 11:01 p.m. and was held until he was discharged the following day at 4:14 p.m. Surprisingly, no bail was set for him. This incident is quite notable, especially since it’s not Gray’s first brush with the law. Just under four years ago, he was similarly taken into custody on March 26, 2021, under suspicion of drunk driving. After some legal maneuvering, he pled down to a lesser charge of careless operation in 2022.

A Snapshot of His Background

Gray isn’t just a name on the council; he’s been a significant figure in Myrtle Beach politics. He served on the Myrtle Beach City Council a whopping total of 16 years: from 1998 to 2002 and then again from 2006 to 2018. He even ran for city council again in 2019, but luck wasn’t on his side as he didn’t secure a seat. That year also saw him throwing his hat in the ring for the position of County Administrator for Horry County, but alas, he didn’t come out on top there either.

Role with Ride 4

Fast forward to more recent times, Gray was the chairman of the Ride 4 Advisory Committee. This committee wrapped up its work just this year, sending recommendations to the official Ride 4 Committee, which was a big deal around here. If you haven’t heard of it, Ride 4 is a ballot measure that recently passed, allowing for a 1% special sales and use tax. The funds generated are expected to fuel various road projects, pave dirt roads, and even boost our public transit systems in Horry County over the next 25 years—or until they hit that sweet spot of $6 billion. Pretty ambitious, right?

Community Involvement

Gray’s community ties run deeper. He has previously served as the chairman of the board of directors for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, and currently, he’s on the board for the Eastern Carolina Housing Organization. So while the recent scandal may have some questioning his leadership and judgment, his history shows he’s been a dedicated figure in many campaigns and initiatives around our beautiful coastal city.

What’s Next?

As of now, Gray hasn’t made any public comments regarding his arrest, and a message was left for him early Friday morning. The story unfolds as the community watches closely. It raises important discussions about accountability and the responsibilities that come with public service. Will Gray be able to bounce back from this incident? It’s too early to tell, but one thing is for certain: Myrtle Beach is always full of surprises. Stay tuned for updates!