Man charged in fatal DWI car accident
Sanford two-car accident kills one, injures two
On March 29, 2008, a 2000 Dodge pickup was traveling along N.C. Highway 87, about two miles south of Sanford, North Carolina at about 8 p.m. The Dodge crossed the center line, getting into a car accident with a 2000 Isuzu and killing a 38-year-old passenger.
The driver of the Isuzu received minor injuries. The driver of the Dodge pickup was airlifted to UNC Hospitals, where he was listed in fair condition two days later the fatal car accident.
The driver of the pickup was charged with driving while impaired (DWI), driving with a revoked license and second-degree murder.
Source: “Man charged in fatal Lee County crash,” Wral.com, March 31, 2008
Bus driver charged with careless and reckless driving after Vance County Vance County bus accident
52-year-old bus driver fell asleep at the wheel of Greyhound bus
On April 22, 2008, a 52-year-old Greyhound bus driver fell asleep at the wheel while driving south on U.S. 1 in Vance County, North Carolina. The bus then got into a bus accident, running off the road and hitting a ditch before rolling over on its side.
The bus accident, which occurred at about 5:45 a.m., sent 12 of the 29 passengers to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. The bus slid about 100 feet before stopping at a tree line on the right shoulder. The passengers got out of the bus through escape hatches on the bus’ roof.
While not all of the passengers in the bus accident were injured, all were taken to the hospital.
The bus involved in the accident was traveling from Richmond, Virginia to Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Sources: Adam Owens, “Bus driver ‘fell asleep’ before crash,” Wral.com, April 22, 2008; “Bus overturns in Vance County,” News and Observer, April 22, 2008.
Tractor-trailer driver sentenced in fatal car accident in Wisconsin
On April 16, 2008, the driver of a tractor-trailer was sentenced to 6 months in jail and 5 years probation for causing a fatal auto accident in Columbia County, Wisconsin.
The tractor trailer was backing down Highway 51 onto Maas Road, which created the illusion that he was traveling in the correct direction. An 82-year-old man and his 22-year-old grandson were returning from a Wisconsin Badgers basketball game when their car collided with the tractor-trailer and slid underneath it. The 82-year-old grandfather was killed instantly. His grandson survived with only minor injuries.
The 49-year-old tractor-trailer driver changed his story several times and initially resisted police officers. His sentence comes as part of a plea bargain in which he agreed to plead guilty to homicide by negligent operation of a motor vehicle. The truck driver will also be required to donate $250 per year to a fund commemorating the man he killed.
Source: “Trucker sentenced for accident that killed Poynette man,” WISCNEWS.com, April 16, 2008.
Two bicyclists injured in separate incidents
On March 25, 2008, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, 2 bicyclists were injured in separate accidents.
The first accident occurred on Raeford Road when a 47-year-old man tried to cross the street on his bicycle and was hit by a Kia SUV traveling with inbound traffic. The bicyclist hit the windshield and was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center with injuries.
On Cliffdale Road, another bicyclist was hit by a car, but police have not released information regarding the accident.
Source: “2 bicyclists struck in Fayetteville.” Wral.com, (http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/2624638/) March 25, 2008.
Two-car accident kills 8-year-old girl
Young girl was properly restrained in a booster seat at time of car accident
In April 2007, a 34-year-old woman was driving north on North Carolina 903 when she ran off the road to the right, overcorrected and crossed over the center line into oncoming traffic, causing a car accident. Her car hit a Toyota heading south, carrying a 53-year-old and a 22-year-old.
The woman was driving her 8-year-old daughter, who was properly restrained in a booster seat. The daughter died in the car accident, though authorities are not sure what type of injuries caused her death.
Everyone involved in the car accident was transported to Pitt County Memorial Hospital. The driver and passenger of the Toyota were listed in good condition. The mother of the young girl was not listed as a patient.
Authorities suspect heavy rainfall may have played a role in the fatal car accident. Charges may be pending.
Source: Kathryn Kennedy, “Young girl dies in wreck,” Daily Reflector, April 7, 2008 (http://www.reflector.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/04/07/childwreck.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=9).
Zebulon man dies in Wayne County car accident
Car accident occurred on Red Hill Road
On April 6, 2008, a 48-year-old man died in a fatal car accident on Red Hill Road, near Eureka, North Carolina. Authorities said he crossed the center line, hit a bridge railing and overturned before ending up in a ditch.
No one reported the car accident until about 10 hours after it occurred. The man was not wearing his seatbelt.
Source: “Zebulon man dies in wreck,” Wral.com, April 7, 2008 (http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/2693792/).
Woman, two men found 12 hours after fatal car accident
One of victim’s relatives found scene of car accident
On April 4, 2008, State Highway Patrol found two men and one woman dead in a flipped car outside of Cherryville, North Carolina after a fatal car accident. The wreckage from the car accident wasn’t discovered for more than 12 hours after the car accident happened.
A relative of one of the victims found them when he realized they never reached their destination. Authorities suspect speed was a factor in the car accident, and have said the car was traveling northwest on Bud Black Road when it ran off the road and hit an embankment. Troopers also suspect alcohol was involved in the car accident.
Source: “Three found dead hours after wreck,” News14.com, April 5, 2008 (http://news14.com/content/headlines/594554/three-found-dead-hours-after-wreck/Default.aspx).
Two children, 7 and 9, killed in pedestrian car accident
The car accident occurred on Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh, NC
On April 3, 2008, two children were hit in a pedestrian-car accident on Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh, North Carolina. A woman and her three children were attempting to cross the road against the light at about 4:45 p.m., when two of the children separated from the mother and ran ahead.
A 1992 Toyota 4 Runner driven by a 57-year-old woman then hit the two children, a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old. They were listed in critical condition after the pedestrian-car accident, but both died shortly after.
Raleigh police are not planning to file charges against the driver of the vehicle.
Source: “Second child died after being hit by vehicle in Raleigh,” Wral.com, April 4, 2008 (http://wral.com/news/local/story/2681503/).
UNCW student killed in fatal Wilmington car accident
Three others injured
On March 30, 2008, a University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) student was killed in a car accident. At about 2 a.m., a car lost control on North College Road, crossed the median and hit the car carrying the student.
The 22-year-old student died on the way to the hospital. The driver of the car carrying the student, as well as another passenger, was taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center with injuries.
The driver of the car that crossed the median was also taken to the hospital after the fatal car accident.
Source: “Fatal accident takes life of UNCW student,” WECT.com, March 31, 2008 (http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=8094263&nav=2gQc).
Man charged in fatal DWI car accident
Sanford two-car accident kills one, injures two
On March 29, 2008, a 2000 Dodge pickup was traveling along N.C. Highway 87, about two miles south of Sanford, North Carolina at about 8 p.m. The Dodge crossed the center line, getting into a car accident with a 2000 Isuzu and killing a 38-year-old passenger.
The driver of the Isuzu received minor injuries. The driver of the Dodge pickup was airlifted to UNC Hospitals, where he was listed in fair condition two days after the fatal car accident.
The driver of the pickup was also charged with driving while impaired (DWI), driving with a revoked license and second-degree murder.
Source: “Man charged in fatal Lee County crash,” Wral.com, March 31, 2008 (http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/2658768/).
