Head-On Crash in Vanceboro Leave One Dead and a Child in Critical Condition

Last Tuesday afternoon, 40 year-old Anthony Jerome Cox Jr. died at the hospital after suffering a serious injury from a vehicle crash on Highway 17, south of Vanceboro, NC . According to eye-witnesses of the wreck, it appeared that 20 year-old Hailey Howell from Craven County crossed into Cox’s lane, then the vehicles collided head-on.

Cox was immediately taken to the hospital but was reported dead upon arrival not having a chance to survive the critical injuries he sustained.  A five year-old child who was a passenger in Howell’s van at the time of the fatal crash is listed in critical condition at the hospital. Crash investigators speculate that the child was not properly secured in the van; however, there was no mention of Howell’s condition.

Drivers should be responsible in driving and be responsible for young children riding as passengers. The leading cause of death among children 2 to 14 years old is from motor vehicle crashes and is sadly preventable according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Responsible drivers need to be aware of correct usage of booster seats, child safety seats and seat belts. A study provided by insurance company MetLife, the safest place for an infant under the age of one is in a properly-secured, rear-facing restrain in a back seat. Often overlooked in reducing crash injuries is securing loose objects in the passenger compartment as these can become dangerous projectiles in case of a quick stop.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and we have experience handling wrongful death cases. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Our law firm has offices in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (NC) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). Our attorneys have handled numerous wrongful death cases and we understand the difficult circumstances which accompany these types of cases. That’s why you need an experienced attorney to help you through the legal process. 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.

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