A Head-On Collision in Fayetteville, North Carolina Kills Three People

A car accident occurred on Hope Mills Road in Fayetteville, North Carolina (NC) that left three dead and two injured.

The fatal car accident occurred when a Ford Mustang crossed over the center line on Hope Mills Road and hit a Toyota Highlander head on. The impact of the crash forced the Highlander in to a furniture truck. The driver of the Ford Mustang, Tristan Hanna, was taken to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (NC). His fiancé, the only passenger in the Mustang, was taken by ambulance New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. The driver of the Toyota Highlander, Hien Troung, and his infant daughter were also taken to UNC Hospital. Hein Troung’s wife was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville.

Tragically, Tristan Hanna, Hein Troung, and Troung’s infant daughter died as a result of injured they sustained in the car accident. Troung’s wife and Hanna’s fiancé remain in the hospital in critical condition.

The Fayetteville Police Department feels that speed may have been the main factor in the car accident. When a driver is speeding, it is easy for them to lose control of their car. This can lead to the driver crossing in to oncoming lanes and causing a head-on collision. Head-on collisions come on suddenly and can be fatal. As a driver, it is imperative that you follow posted speed limits; it may save your life.

East Wake High School Teenager Dies after Knightdale, North Carolina Car Accident

Recently, I wrote an article about a car accident involving two teenagers in Knightdale, North Carolina (NC). The teenagers, from East Wake High School, were traveling on Puryear Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The teenager went off the road, hit an embankment, and flipped over several times.

At the time the article was written, both teenagers had been taken to WakeMed hospital where they were being treated for injuries. Tragically, the passenger recently died at as a result of injuries they sustained in the car accident. The driver has been released from WakeMed hospital.

Sadly, this is the second tragedy to strike East Wake High School this year; another teenager was killed in a car accident in January. Counselors have been dispatched to the high school to help the grieving process for fellow students and friends of these two teenagers.

Tractor-Trailer Accident in Greensboro, North Carolina Leaves Two Dead

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, a tractor-trailer is to blame for the two deaths that occurred on I-85 in Guliford County outside of Greensboro, North Carolina (NC).

A woman traveling with her daughter pulled her car in to the right travel lane of I-85 near Rock Creek Dairy Road; likely having car trouble. While the woman was parked in the right lane, a tractor-trailer hit her car from behind; killing her and her daughter. The North Carolina Highway Patrol has not yet filed charges in the tractor-trailer accident.

Highways like I-85 can be extremely dangerous for drivers who are forced to pull off the roadway. The North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety offers these tips on handling a car break down and avoiding a car accident while you are driving: First, pull your car as far off the roadway as possible. Once you have pulled your car off the road, exit the car through the passenger side and have everyone exit the vehicle. Do not leave any passengers in the car. Once everyone has exited the vehicle, stand away from the roadway. Do not stand near your vehicle. Finally, if it is dark outside, be sure to use your emergency flashers. It is difficult for other drivers, especially drivers traveling at high speeds, to see parked vehicles. Using your emergency flashers will help others see you.

Tragically, not all accidents like the one that happened on I-85 can be avoided. If you have been involved in a car accident after a break down, it is likely that car accident is not your fault. A personal injury attorney may be able to help you.

Man Dies in Three-Vehicle Car Accident in Dunn, North Carolina

One man is dead and three others, including a child, are in the hospital recovering from serious injuries after a car accident in Dunn, North Carolina (NC).

Roy English, a 78-year-old man from Wallace, was traveling through the intersection of North Carolina Highway 55 and Highway 242 when a Dodge truck, driven by Joseph Bayfden, ran a stop sign and struck Roy English’s car. Shortly after the initial collision, another vehicle crashed in to English’s car and the Dodge truck caught fire.

Tragically, Roy English and his wife Robbie English were transported to WakeMed hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina (NC) where Roy English died as a result of injuries sustained in the car accident. Robbie English is still at WakeMed hospital recovering from serious injuries. Joseph Bayfden and his child were also taken to WakeMed hospital where they are recovering. Two other passengers in English’s car and the passengers in the third vehicle involved in the accident were not injured.

Sadly, there is nothing Roy English could have done to avoid the car accident and it is unlikely that the driver of the third vehicle involved could have avoided hitting the accident scene.

Stop signs are far easier to miss then red traffic lights. It is also more difficult for law enforcement officers to catch violators at stop signs. Several traffic lights have had red camera lights installed that catch violators in the act even if a police officer is not looking; however, no policy exists yet for stop signs. As a driver the best thing you can do to avoid being in a car accident with someone who has run a stop sign is to use extreme caution when crossing any intersection. Remember that stop signs are not always visible to other drivers, or the driver may simply be distracted, causing them to miss the sign.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law. Our law firm has offices in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (NC) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). Our attorneys have handled thousands of automobile negligence cases involving cars, trucks, trains, and motorcycles. We would be pleased to send you one of our FREE reports about car accident cases, including our special report on distracted driving or our Best Guide to Car Accident Injuries in North Carolina. Our lawyers hold licenses in NC, VA, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube .  In addition, our lawyers proudly edit the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, as well as the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.

AC

Teenager Killed While Riding Bicycle in Dunn, North Carolina

Two teens were involved in a bicycle accident that tragically claimed the life of a young man in Dunn, North Carolina (NC).

The teenager was traveling south on his bicycle on Bud Hawkins Road shortly after nightfall when another teen driving a truck struck him from behind. The bicyclist was taken to Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The North Carolina Highway Patrol investigated the accident and does not feel drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.

Any car or bicycle accident that claims a life is devastating, especially when that life is a young teenager. Sadly, teenagers often do not have enough experience driving around bicycles. When you factor in road systems inadequately designed for bicycle travel accidents can happen.

If you have a young driver on the road urge them to use caution around bicycles. Teenagers have not been driving long enough to always be able to accurately gauge a safe distance from bicycles, pedestrians, or even other vehicles. Practice driving around bicycles with your teenager and show them exactly what a safe distance would be. Practice goes a long way in preventing future car accidents.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law. Our law firm has offices in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (NC) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). Our attorneys have handled thousands of automobile negligence cases involving cars, trucks, trains, and motorcycles. We would be pleased to send you one of our FREE reports about car accident cases, including our special report on distracted driving or our Best Guide to Car Accident Injuries in North Carolina. Our lawyers hold licenses in NC, VA, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube .  In addition, our lawyers proudly edit the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, as well as the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.

AC

Second Fort Mills, North Carolina Teenager Dies in Car Accident

A pair of tennis shoes hangs over a cross at the site of a car accident that claimed a Fort Mills, North Carolina (NC) teenager’s life.

Seventeen year old Luke Hoover was a student at Nation Ford High School, an athlete, and a Boy Scout who volunteered at local churches. He is also the second Nation Ford High School student to die in a car accident this week.

Luke Hoover was driving to his friend’s house on Holbrook Road in Fort Mills, North Carolina (NC) when he attempted to pass another car. Hoover lost control of his car, went off the roadway and hit a tree. He died at the scene of the accident.

Students at Nation Ford High School were devastated by the news of the accident; especially after losing another student and friend only days before. Michelle DiBernardini, 16, was traveling with three other teenagers when her car collided with a truck. Michelle DiBernardini died as a result of her injuries and the three passengers were taken to local hospitals.

The sudden loss of Luke Hoover and Michelle DiBernardini shows how dangerous the roads can be for young drivers. The auto insurance company, Allstate, recently released a study showing that car accidents are the leading cause of teen death in the United States. Car accidents have claimed the life of 5,000-6,000 teenagers annually for the past decade. Allstate reported that speed and driving errors, which are far more likely to happen during a driver’s first few years on the road, are the highest cause of teen car accidents.

If you have a young driver on the road, teaching them to maintain the speed limit as well as how to react in potentially dangerous situations will go a long way in preventing an accident. Remember that practice makes perfect and by spending as much time driving with your teen as you can will help them be better drivers on their own.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law. Our law firm has offices in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (NC) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). Our attorneys handle automobile negligence cases involving cars, trucks, trains, and motorcycles every day. We will send you one of our FREE reports about car accident cases, including our special report on distracted driving or our Best Guide to Car Accident Injuries in North Carolina. Our lawyers hold licenses in NC, VA, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube .  In addition, our lawyers proudly edit the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, as well as the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.

AC

Woman Accused of Street Racing Receives a Light Sentence in Mecklenburg, North Carolina

Carlene Atkinson, who has been charged with three counts of murder following a car accident, last April, has been given permission to attend church and doctors appointments by a Mecklenburg, North Carolina (NC) judge.

Carlene Atkinson was racing Tyler Stasko on North Carolina (NC) highway 49 when Tyler Stasko crashed into the back of a vehicle entering the highway. Atkinson and Stasko had topped speeds of 100 mph at the time of the crash. Cynthia Furr, who was driving the vehicle Stasko hit, as well as her two year old daughter and Hunter Holt, a 13 year old passenger in Stasko’s car, died as a result of the car accident.

Tyler Stasko and Carlene Atkinson were both released on bond, however; Atkinson’s 15 prior speeding violations caused a judge to order a much higher bond for Atkinson and place her on house arrest. As part of her house arrest Atkinson is not allowed to drive her Camero. She initially asked a Mecklenburg judge for permission to get rides to work, but was denied as Atkinson is currently unemployed.

Atkinson’s attorney, Gary Murphy, also requested she be granted permission to attend doctors appointments and church as Atkinson used to be a Sunday school teacher. The Mecklenburg judge granted her permission for Wednesday and Sunday services.

Street racing  is a dangerous, and as the case of Carlene Atkinson shows us, often a deadly game. Racing can either be spontaneous or go as far as prearranged events. Since street races are conducted on roads traveled by other vehicles, they often lead to car accidents. For this reason states all over the country have begun enforcing strict street racing laws. In North Carolina (NC) the highest street racing offense, prearranged racing, is punishable by a three year license suspension and vehicle seizure.

AC

Wrong Way Driver Causes Fatality in a Car Accident on a Highway in Hickory, North Carolina

A car accident on Highway 321 in Hickory, North Carolina (NC) led to one fatality, two serious injuries, and a highway closure.

Witnesses say an elderly couple driving a white sedan were traveling north on the southbound lanes of Highway 321. The driver of the white sedan was traveling in two lanes and hit a truck head on.

The driver of the truck who was struck, Howard Helton’s wife was also on Highway 321 and witnessed the accident. She was able to contact emergency crews to respond. Howard Helton and the driver of the white sedan were taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina (NC) where they are both being treated for injuries caused in the car accident. Sadly, the passenger of the white sedan, an elderly woman, died on impact.

The North Carolina Highway patrols shut off parts of Highway 321 and have conducted an investigation of the crash scene. They were able to verify witness statements that the driver of the white sedan was driving the wrong way at the time of the car accident, but they are not sure at what point the driver entered Highway 321 or why he was traveling in the wrong direction.

Driver’s going the wrong way are more common then you might think, especially on highways. Drivers can confuse the off ramp for the on ramp when entering the highway and travel for along periods of time before they are able to correct themselves. If you see headlights coming in the wrong direction it is best to pull over to the side of the road. Trying to swerve around the oncoming car may panic you or the other driver and cause an accident.

AC

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Involved in Fatal Car Accident Resigns

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Involved in Fatal Car Accident Resigns

Fayetteville, North Carolina Judge Declares Hit and Run Driver not fit for Trial

Princeton, North Carolina Teen Dies in Motorcycle Accident

Tyler Dean Smith, an 18 year old from Princeton, North Carolina (NC) died Saturday from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident.

North Carolina (NC) highway patrol trooper D.T. Sharte told reporters on Saturday that Tyler Dean Smith took his stepfather’s motorcycle out for a ride after having an argument with a friend in Princeton.

According to witness accounts, Smith was on Rains Mill Road at the time of the motorcycle accident. Highway patrol trooper D.T. Sharte has been able to determine that Smith was traveling 45 miles an hour when he went in to the oncoming lane and hit a minivan. No one in the minivan was injured but Smith died on the scene from the injuries he sustained in the motorcycle accident.

Tyler Dean Smith did not have a motorcycle license at the time of the accident and had not completed any motorcycle training courses required by the state of North Carolina (NC).

Sadly, motorcycle accidents have been on the rise in recent years, and accidents like the tragic one on Saturday that claimed a young life happen more then they should. A few drivers, especially teen drivers, take motorcycles out on the road without the proper state approved training. Unfortunately, this can end in disaster for the driver or other drivers on the road.

If you are thinking of purchasing a motorcycle, or currently own a motorcycle with a new driver in the house, it is extremely important that you get the required operating license through state training, even if you already know how to operate a motorcycle. Not only will the state training help you be better on the road and reduce your chance of accidents, but a motorcycle license is required by law. If you get stopped, you could be risking large fines and loss of vehicle.

AC

Car Accident in Gastonia, North Carolina Leaves One Dead, One Injured

A car accident in Gastonia, North Carolina (NC) Wednesday night left one person dead and another injured.

According to the North Carolina (NC) highway Patrol, a woman was driving a Honda Civic on highway 321 in Gaston County, North Carolina (NC) when she went off the road. She over corrected her vehicle, went under the cable links in the median, crossed to the southbound side of the road, and hit a tractor-trailer and another vehicle.

The car accident sent the driver of the tractor-trailer to a local Gaston County hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. The driver of the other vehicle struck in the accident was unhurt. Sadly, the driver of the Honda Civic died in the crash.

Over correcting is a major cause of car accidents. This is especially true with young drivers who have not experienced off roadway correction techniques first hand, but over correcting can affect any driver. All it can take is a small error or a distraction and the results can be tragic, such as the car accident that took place Wednesday evening in Gastonia.

If you find yourself in an off roadway situation there is a technique you can employ to avoid being the victim of another over correcting car accident. First, do not panic. Panic can lead to errors while operating a vehicle. Simply stop accelerating, do not break your vehicle. Once you have slowed to a lesser speed, gently ease the vehicle back on to the roadway, being careful not to jerk the wheel too suddenly or too far towards the roadway.

Since the risk of off roadway accidents is much greater in younger drivers, some local North Carolina (NC) driving schools have begun teaching techniques to avoid over correcting. They stimulate the situation in a controlled area at a much slower speed to give the learner practice.

Over correcting can happen in an instant and the results can be tragic. As long as you remain calm in the situation you will greatly reduce your chances of being in a collision.

AC

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Calypso, North Carolina Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash Kills One Injures Five

Construction Worker Found Dead after Falling Off Manns Harbor, North Carolina Bridge

Woman Dies from Two Vehicle Wreck in Benson, North Carolina

Wayne County Pedestrian Killed after Being Struck by NCDOT Snowplow

Garner, North Carolina ConAgra Plant to cut 321 Jobs after Explosion

The ConAgra food plant located in Garner, North Carolina (NC) plans to cut 300 hourly and 21 salaried positions from their payroll following a plant explosion that occurred earlier this summer.

The initial explosion resulted from contract employees installing a water line and accidentally leaking natural gas into the plant. The ConAgra food plant exploded causing the roof to collapse and trap dozens of employees. Three employees died as a result of the blast. Several dozen employees were sent to local North Carolina (NC) hospitals where they were treated for their injuries.

After the explosion the ConAgra food company initially provided full pay and benefits to workers. However, the plant will soon cut pay to any worker still out of work as a result of their injuries in addition to the 321 lay offs the company plans to initiate. These workers are eligible to apply for Worker’s Compensation Benefits.

When my colleague, Jim Lewis, originally wrote about the ConAgra plant explosion in June an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the blast. While it has now been determined that the explosion was accidental, several people of Garner are feeling little relief. The untimely loss of the three plant employees; Barbara McLean, Lewis Watson and Rachel Pulley, and the added stress of loss of pay for those still suffering from their injuries is a tragic situation.

As a personal injury attorney I have seen several cases were Worker’s Compensation Benefits fail to provide what is needed for families out of work. If you find yourself injured and out of work due to an accident at your company a personal injury attorney may be able to assist you in getting back on your feet financially.

Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), with an office also in Elizabeth City, in Northeast North Carolina (NC), practicing primarily in the southeastern U.S. and handles only injury law, including car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our Carolina injury law website is: http://carolina.hsinjurylaw.com, the firm edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, as well as the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard and also hosts a YouTube injury law video library with over 50 videos covering many FAQ’s on personal injury subjects. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.

AC