The Loris High School marching band is honoring a student who was allegedly killed by a drunk driver

LORIS, SC (WMBF) – The Loris High School Marching Band has been honoring a student who died in an alleged drunk driving accident all season long. Saturday’s Loris Band Day was no exception.

This is the familiar sound of an orchestra that many people know.

But for many things are different now because of a tragic loss.

“He was always full of joy, and he was one of the nicest people in the world,” Beyoncé Dominguez recalled.

“He was very dedicated. Very dedicated to his band and his friends,” said band director Stephen Whisnant.

“He was probably the most loyal person in our group. I mean continuous practice,” said Timothy Hemingway.

Sean Hurd died when he was allegedly hit by a drunk driver on his way home from a band camp this summer.

He and the group’s director, Stephen Whisnant, had a special relationship and a special nickname.

Whisnant called him a “loose head” because of his hair.

His friends were shocked by his death.

With band season quickly approaching, they knew they wanted to do something.

“We want to dedicate this year to him, so that’s the point,” Hemingway explained.

For many, the first few weeks of the season without Sean were not easy.

“It was tough for a lot of us, and I mean we just had to keep our strength and our faith in the Lord and just keep pushing through,” Hemingway said.

Loris High School has been honoring him all season, but other schools have also shown their support.

“All the bands in Horry County also did something to honor his memory this year,” Whisnant said.

When the bands gathered for the 35th Loris Band Day on Saturday, he was honored again.

With a cup, an orchestra and a sincere tribute.

With 15 schools giving their all, Carolina Forest won this year’s competition.

While the trophy is nice and the day was fun, it marks the end of a season about so much more.

“We’re here not just to bring all of us together, but for Sean,” Dominguez said.

The family also started a scholarship to honor Sean’s legacy.