Beaufort business owner hit by car on her grand opening day

On the day of the planned grand opening, a tragedy occurred as a woman was mere hours away from celebrating day one of her new business, The Beaufort Wine Bar, in the town’s historic Fordham building.

Shortly after 10 a.m. last Thursday, owner Carol Lynn Vrana was struck by a vehicle as she crossed Carteret Street.

It was barely five hours before the 58-year-old was hoping to officially unlock the doors of her shop for the first time. Now the opening has been delayed as she recovers from serious injuries.

Details of the accident

According to Beaufort police, a vehicle was waiting to drive across the Woods Memorial Bridge to Lady’s Island on Thursday, March 6. When the light turned green, the driver accelerated but didn’t see Vrana in the crosswalk. No tickets were issued nor charges filed against the driver, police said.

Vrana was airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina, according to an online fundraising site. Diagnosed with a brain bleed, she was initially in the intensive care unit, but has since been moved to a regular room and is now making progress, the site says.

“As you all can imagine, this is an unimaginable tragedy for her, her husband and son, and our community,” organizers of the online fundraising effort said. “We are not sure about how long her recovery will take, but we know that God is in control! Carol Lynn loves the Lord and I know He has His hands on her!”

Ashlee Houck, president and CEO of the Beaufort Area Hospitality Association, said the community is rallying behind Vrana.

“We just hope she recovers,” Houck says. “We want to see that space come alive. We know that was a dream of hers. We hope the best for her.”

More about the new venue

The Beaufort Wine Bar is located at the corner of Bay and Carteret streets. It is sharing space with Fishburne Gallery. The grand opening for both was set for 3 p.m. March 6. A “soft opening” had been held March 5. The wine bar’s opening has been postponed but Vrana’s family, friends, and new employees hope to open soon. The Fishburne Gallery is accepting private appointments for those who would like to visit its collection.

The complimentary businesses are billed on social media as “the newest hot spot to mingle, laugh, and make memories with friends, coworkers, and family.”