A representative of a Special Olympics athlete who died while in Myrtle Beach for the games last year has filed a wrongful death suit against the South Carolina organization, as well as the city of Myrtle Beach.
Mary Horvath filed the suit on behalf of the estate of Steven Joseph Horvath, who was a disabled adult from Dorchester County and came to Myrtle Beach in September 2023 to compete in the Special Olympics.
The suit alleges that Horvath died after consuming alcohol that interacted with his prescribed medicine, ultimately causing his death. The suit claims that those involved with the Special Olympics South Carolina , as well as hosts, sponsors and volunteers, were negligent in their duties to oversee Horvath and other athletes.
The suit names Special Olympics South Carolina, the city of Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel Corporation, Hotels Group Resources, SA SBS Myrtle Beach Property Owner and Staybridge Suites.
Meredith Denari, spokesperson for the city of Myrtle Beach, said by email that the city does not comment on pending litigation.
A message left with Special Olympics South Carolina was not immediately returned. A phone number for SA SBS could not be located.
Horvath resided in an assisted living/group home for mentally disabled adults in Summerville and was not permitted to consume alcoholic beverages because of his multiple prescribed medications that were administered at certain times, the suit said.
Horvath’s family and caretakers provided information to the defendants regarding his health, his prescribed medications, and his needs and limitations, the suit said. Horvath was under the direct care and supervision of the Special Olympics’ volunteers, chaperones, coaches, employees, nurses, medical providers and staff.
Horvath was in the city to compete in golf during the games that were held from Sept. 22 through Sept. 24, 2023.
Horvath, along with other Special Olympics athletes, stayed at the Staybridge Suites at 303 Fantasy Horbour Blvd. in Myrtle Beach. Horvath shared a room with two other disabled athletes.
The defendants had in place policies, procedures and codes of conduct that required employees, volunteers, coaches, chaperones and staff to provide 24-hour supervision of the athletes, prohibit use of any alcoholic beverages and non-prescribed drugs and ensure that the athletes’ prescribed medications were administered properly, the suit said.
It is believed that after attending a dinner and opening ceremony hosted for the Special Olympics athletes that Horvath was escorted back to the hotel for the night. During the early morning hours on Sept. 23, 2023, Horvath was found non-responsive and covered in his own vomit in his hotel room, the suit said.
He was transported to Grand Strand Medical Center, but before arrival to the hospital, Horvath was pronounced dead. An autopsy and toxicology report determined that Horvath’s blood alcohol concentration was .086 percent at the time of his death. The legal BAC limit before a person is considered intoxicated is .08 percent.
The suit claims that the defendants were negligent in their care and supervision of Horvath, which caused his wrongful death.
The suit seeks a jury trial for funeral and medical expenses and other damages.
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