Wrongful Death

Gastonia, NC – Melanie Saesee Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash on Wren Turnpike

Published on: September 27, 2020 | Jason M. Burton

Gastonia, NC (September 27, 2020) – One person is dead and another suffered serious injuries after a two-vehicle crash that took place in Gastonia on Friday. The crash occurred around 4:45 p.m. on Wren Turnpike.

According to the Gastonia Police Department, 24-year-old Ryan Patterson was driving a car westbound on Turnpike when the truck collided with a car that was traveling eastbound. Patterson’s passenger, 21-year-old Melanie Sasee, suffered critical injuries in the crash. She was taken to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead as a result of her injuries. Patterson was also transported to the hospital where he was listed in critical condition. No one in the truck suffered any injuries as a result of the accident.

Police have not released any details on the cause of the crash at this time. An investigation remains ongoing.

Statesville, NC – Sandra Hager Killed After Being Hit by Truck at DMV Office

Published on: September 25, 2020 | Jason M. Burton

Statesville, NC (September 25, 2020) – A woman is dead and another injured following a crash at the DMV office in Statesville on Wednesday, September, 23rd. The crash happened at the office on West Water Street.

According to a report from the Statesville Police Department, 73-year-old Linda Price was driving a white Toyota Tacoma eastbound on Water Street when her vehicle left the roadway to the right and traveled onto the sidewalk. As the truck was on the sidewalk, it struck two women who were standing in the line at DMV.

One of the women, later identified as Sandra Woodside Hager, suffered critical injuries. Hager was rushed to Iredell Memorial Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. A second woman, who has not been identified, was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Price was taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and was later released.

High Point, NC – Two Killed, Four Hurt in Johnson Street Car Accident

Published on: September 14, 2020 | Jason M. Burton

High Point, NC (September 14, 2020) – Two people were killed and four others were hurt in a two-car crash that took place on Sunday in High Point. The crash happened on Johnson Street at the intersection with Oakview Road near Westfield Street.

According to reports from the High Point Police Department, a 2012 Nissan Altima was stopped at the intersection with Johnson and Oakview while waiting to make a left turn. As the Altima began turning, it collided with a 2020 Altima that was traveling the opposite direction on Johnson Street. The two occupants of the Altima, 18-year-old Joshua Kole Norris, and 18-year-old Nehemiah Pratt, both of High Point, died at the crash scene. Their car was found leaning against a utility pole on the passenger side.

Four passengers in the 2020 Altima suffered injuries. Two of the occupants were seriously hurt while the other two sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe that the 2020 Altima was traveling at a speed between 80-100 mph in a 45 mph zone when the crash took place. None of the occupants of the 2020 Altima have been identified at this time.

Durham, NC – One Killed, Two Hurt in Box Truck Crash on Guess Rd

Published on: September 13, 2020 | Jason M. Burton

Durham, NC (September 13, 2020) – The Durham Police Department responded to a fatal crash in the city on Saturday, September 12th. The collision took place on Guess Road near the intersection with Bogarde Street.

According to police reports, 33-year-old Christopher Weathers was driving a 2018 Dodge Caravan in the right-hand lane of Guess Road. A box truck was stopped in the same lane with its hazard lights on while making a delivery. Weathers failed to slow down and slammed into the back of the truck.

43-year-old Lashawn Daniel Jones of Raleigh was standing outside the truck and was hit by the Dodge Caravan. 26-year-old Desmond Sykes was inside the truck when the crash took place. Jones was killed in the accident while Sykes and Weathers were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.

Currituck County, NC – Two Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash on Caratoke Hwy.

Published on: September 1, 2020 | Jason M. Burton

Currituck County, NC (September 1, 2020) – Police in Currituck County were at the scene of a fatal hit-and-run accident on the Caratoke Highway on Sunday, August 30th. The crash happened just after 2:00 a.m. in the 600 block of the roadway.

According to Sgt. S.D. Hurley of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, three men on bicycles tried to cross the highway when they were hit by a car that was traveling in the northbound lanes. The driver first moved to a nearby parking lot to remain at the scene but later fled. As the victims were lying in the roadway, one of them was struck by a second vehicle and was dragged several feet before the car came to a stop. The driver of the second vehicle remained at the scene.

Both men who were struck were pronounced dead by rescue workers. Neither of the victims has been identified at this time. On Monday, the hit-and-run driver surrendered to authorities and is now facing charges in connection with the crash.

Rowan County, NC – Ebony Evans-Kindle Killed in I-85 Car Accident

Published on: August 29, 2020 | Jason M. Burton

Rowan County, NC (August 29, 2020) – A 31-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a tractor-trailer on the shoulder of Interstate 85 in Rowan County. The crash happened around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 27th.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reports that Ebony Evans-Kindle was traveling southbound on I-85 near the Davidson County line when she experienced a flat tire. Evans-Kindle pulled onto the shoulder of the roadway and was in her vehicle when she was struck by a tractor-trailer pulling a mower. Evans-Kindle’s vehicle was propelled into the roadway where it was then hit head-on by a Chevrolet pickup truck.

Rescue workers rushed to the scene and administered medical aid. Evans-Kindle, however, was pronounced dead at the crash scene. A small child in her vehicle suffered minor injuries. No other injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Motorists were advised to use caution when traveling near the crash scene.

Morrisville, NC – Cameron Marshall Minnis Killed in Crash on Page Road

Published on: August 25, 2020 | Jason M. Burton

Morrisville, NC (August 25, 2020) – A man was killed in a crash in Morrisville after being hit by a driver that was fleeing from police. The incident occurred on Sunday, August 23 around 11:00 p.m. on Page Road.

According to reports, a Durham County deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on a 2016 Hyundai sedan at the intersection of Page Road and Lumley Road. Instead of stopping, the Hyundai driver sped off and ran a red light at the intersection of Page and TW Alexander Drive. As the driver proceeded through the intersection, he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a 1999 Ford pickup that was parked on the shoulder of Page Road.

The pickup driver, Cameron Marshall Minnis, was standing outside the truck when the collision occurred. Minnis was struck by the Hyundai. He suffered critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the accident scene. The Hyundai driver was later identified by authorities as Jalen Lamar Williams, of Durham. Williams was taken to a local hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. His condition is not known at this time.

Greenville, NC – Michael Steven Higgins Killed in Crash with SHP Trooper

Published on: August 23, 2020 | Jason M. Burton

Greenville, NC (August 23, 2020) – A 22-year-old student at East Carolina University and an intern with the State Highway Patrol was killed in a crash that took place in Greenville on Saturday, August 22nd. The collision happened around 1:00 a.m. on Smithtown Road.

According to reports, 22-year-old Michael Steven Higgins was participating in a ride-along with Highway Patrol Trooper Omar Romero when Romero attempted to apprehend a suspected impaired driver on Smithtown. As Romero sped up in an attempt to overtake the driver’s vehicle, he lost control of his patrol car. Romero’s vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole and two trees before coming to rest on the shoulder.

Higgins, a senior at East Carolina University majoring in criminal justice, was killed as a result of injuries he sustained in the crash. Romero was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Cary, NC – One Killed, Two Injured in Two-Car Accident on I-40

Published on: August 22, 2020 | Jason M. Burton

Cary, NC (August 22, 2020) – The Cary Police Department responded to a fatal accident on Friday, August 21st, in the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near the exit for Harrison Avenue.

Officials with the Town of Cary confirmed that there were two vehicles involved in the accident. Both cars sustained heavy damage and appeared to be totally demolished as a result of the accident. Rescue workers arrived at the scene after the crash took place and began administering medical treatment to the victims. One person succumbed to their injuries. Two others sustained undisclosed injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment. There is no update on their conditions at this time. Police did not immediately identify the deceased victim. No details were released regarding the cause of the accident.

Traffic was slowed on Interstate 40 for several hours while officers and rescue officials worked at the scene. An investigation into the crash is ongoing. There is no word on potential charges at this time and no further information is available.

LaGrange, NC – UPDATE: Four Women Identified in Fatal Hwy 903 Crash

Published on: August 20, 2020 | Jason M. Burton

LaGrange, NC (August 20, 2020) – Troopers with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol have identified the victims of a fatal crash on North Carolina Highway 903 near LaGrange. The crash took place on Tuesday, August 18th around 6:00 a.m.

According to officials, 23-year-old Tytiauna Brown of Greenville was driving a Toyota Camry southbound on 903 when her vehicle crossed the centerline and sideswiped a Saturn traveling in the opposite direction. The Camry then spun into traffic and was hit by a commercial truck traveling northbound. The impact of the collision caused the Camry to split in half.

Brown died at the scene, along with her three passengers, 21-year-old Jasmine Watford of Greenville, 29-year-old Rhythm Sharpe of Farmville, and 20-year-old Tionna Day of Farmville. The Saturn driver, Nester Gonzalez, and his passenger were transported to UNC Lenoir Health Care for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The truck driver and three passengers were also taken to UNC Lenoir for non-life-threatening injuries.