Stunned, shaken, devastated and saddened are just some of the words used to describe the reaction to a horrific and tragic traffic accident that occurred May 15.
The accident, a head-on collision, happened on Highway 101 in Spartanburg County, S.C. and claimed the lives of five individuals, according to the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office. Those individuals were: Deborah Sue Wyatt, 50, of Duncan; Max Douglas Wyatt Jr., 46, of Duncan; Arturo Leon Munoz of Fountain Inn; Maria Del Rosario Munoz, 62, of Greenville; and Greenville Police Sergeant Ashley Munoz, 35, of Woodruff. All were pronounced dead at the scene.
Another victim, Sgt. Diana Munoz, the wife of Sgt. Ashley Munoz, was airlifted to a local hospital. The name of the hospital is being withheld for privacy and security reasons.
The accident has significantly impacted the LGBTQ+ community of Greenville, the Greenville Police Department (GPD), and the Greenville community at large.
Ashley and Diana, who married in October of 2018, were returning from a family vacation. Diana’s mother and father were with them. The couple has two children who were, however, not in the car.
The daughter of Colombian immigrants, Diana Munoz has lost her wife and her parents. She is currently in the ICU of an unidentified hospital. Her father was a law enforcement officer in Colombia. She originally was going to study to become a dental hygienist, but in 2013 followed in her father’s footsteps by entering law enforcement with the GPD. After nine years on the job, she became the first Hispanic supervisor for the GPD.
Diana’s cousin, Diana Tabares, established a GoFundMe account. According to Tabares, the fund was started to “help cover the many expenses she will face in the coming months.” The goal of the fundraiser was set at $70k. As of this writing, $67,146 has been raised.
The Greenville Police Foundation has also established a support fund for Diana Munoz, according to a May 16 report by WYFF. In a statement released from the organization: “Diana is now a single mom of two sons, and every donation received through the end of this month will go directly to her through the Greenville Police Foundation.”
A memorial has been established at the City of Greenville Public Safety Campus, located at 204 Halton Road.
Nearby police departments have joined in expressing sadness and sympathy.
The City of Anderson Police Department wrote on its Facebook page, “Please continue to lift Sgt. Diana Munoz up in prayer as she recovers from this devastating accident.”
The Pickens Police Department joined the voices of sympathy and concern. On the Department’s Facebook, they wrote, “The Pickens Police Department sends our deepest condolences to the Munoz family and the entire Greenville Police Department during this incredibly difficult time.” Well-wishes were also expressed by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.
The Greenville Police Department and the city of Greenville have a visible history of LGBTQ+ support.
In June 2002, Mayor Knox White signed a proclamation designating June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Several LGBTQ+ individuals proudly serve as members of the GPD. According to the city’s website, “The City of Greenville is a welcoming community. We believe in respecting one another’s dignity and differences. The City is strengthened by the diversity of its residents, employees and visitors. We aim to foster an inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds, orientations and identities feel safe, respected and represented.” This welcoming and inclusive attitude permeates the various departments of the city, including the GPD.
According to the Human Rights Campaign Equality Index in 2025, Greenville scored second highest in the state with 67 out of a possible 100. Only Myrtle Beach, with a score of 98, ranked higher.
The city employs an LGBTQ+ liaison as well as a police LGBTQ+ liaison officer. It practices non-discrimination in its hiring practices, including sexual identity or orientation. It reported hate crime statistics to the FBI in 2023. The city also has a Youth Bullying Prevention Policy, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity for youth participating in city-managed programs.
Local news outlets continue to update the public on Sgt. Munoz’s condition and efforts to support her following the loss of her wife and parents. In a recent report physicians indicated her condition is showing signs of improvement. As of this post, no funeral arrangements have been announced for Ashley or Diana’s parents.