Articles Posted in Wrongful Death

Greenville, NC (November 15, 2020) – Police in Greenville have identified the victim of a hit-and-run bicycle crash that took place on Friday, November 13th. The crash happened around 7:30 p.m. on South Memorial Drive near Greenville Boulevard and Mall Drive.

According to officers, 27-year-old Kari Williams, of Winterville, was riding her bike in front of the Academy Sports and Hobby Lobby buildings when she was hit by a vehicle. The vehicle then fled the crash scene before officers could arrive. Williams suffered critical injuries and was later pronounced dead by officials.

Police are still searching for the vehicle that struck Williams. The car has been described as a white or tan four-door passenger vehicle with front end and windshield damage. Anyone with information should contact Officer A Vaughan of the GPD Traffic Safety Unit at 252-329-3438 or call the GPD non-emergency line at 252-329-4300.

Statesville, NC (November 12, 2020) – Troopers with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the scene of a fatal crash in Statesville on Thursday. The collision was reported around 5:45 a.m. on Wilkesboro Highway near Pisgah Church Road.

According to reports, the crash involved a 2018 Jeep Wrangler and 1997 Ford Ranger. Troopers report that the Ford was traveling southbound when it hydroplaned and crossed over the centerline, striking the Ranger head-on. The driver of the Ford, 23-year-old Dylan Pool, and a passenger, 23-year-old Jamie Batcher, were killed in the collision. The Jeep driver, 33-year-old Ryan Bourgeois, was taken to Iredell Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Bourgeois was later taken to Wake Forest Baptist Health for additional treatment.

Neither Poole nor Batcher were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident. Investigators believe that speed played a role in the crash.

Greensboro, NC (November 5, 2020) – Two people were killed and two others were hospitalized after a car accident in Greensboro on Wednesday. The crash occurred just before 2:30 p.m. on East Wendover Avenue near the intersection with Yanceyville Street.

The Greensboro Police Department was called to the crash scene just after the accident took place. According to officers, a 2016 Hyundai Sonata was traveling eastbound on Wendover. At the same time, a 2017 Nissan Altima was traveling westbound.  The Nissan left its lane of travel and crossed over the centerline, striking the Hyundai head-on. The driver and passenger of the Hyundai died at the crash scene. The victims have been identified as 43-year-old April Michelle Tate and 65-year-old Lucy Jean Krites, both of Reidsville. Another occupant of the Hyundai and the Nissan Driver, Kristin Killian Lopez, were both taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Following an investigation, police charged Lopez with two counts of felony death by vehicle, serious injury by vehicle, driving while impaired, careless and reckless driving, and possession of marijuana. Lopez was taken to the Guilford County Jail, where she was being held under a $150,000 bond.

Durham, NC (November 1, 2020) – A 21-year-old dirt bike driver is dead following a head-on crash in Durham on Saturday. The accident happened around 7:00 p.m. at the intersection of E. Club Blvd. and Cascadilla Street.

Officers with the Durham Police Department received a call regarding the crash and arrived at the scene just after it occurred. According to officials, 21-year-old Jarrein Smith was riding his dirt bike near the intersection when he was struck by a pickup truck that was attempting to make a left turn near the intersection. Investigators believe that the truck turned into Smith’s path, causing the collision.

Smith was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the pickup was not injured and has not been identified by police at this time.

Hillsborough, NC (October 29, 2020) – The victim of a weekend parking lot crash at a Hillsborough grocery store has been identified by authorities. The crash took place on Saturday, October 24th near the entrance of a Food Lion grocery store.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, 98-year-old Nell Richardson had exited her vehicle and was walking towards the store when she was struck by a vehicle driven by 42-year-old Mindy Espinoza of Durham. Espinoza remained at the scene following the crash and provided assistance to Richardson. She later stayed and spoke with authorities who were investigating the incident. Following an investigation, police charged Espinoza with a safe movement violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle in connection with the accident. There is no word on how exactly the crash took place.

Espinoza is scheduled to appear in court on December 10th. There is no additional information at this time.

Lenoir, NC (October 27, 2020) – A 21-year-old woman from Boone was killed in a crash that took place in Lenoir on Monday, October 26th. The crash happened on U.S. 321 near the intersection with Indian Grave Road.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the crash scene around 3:15 p.m. According to troopers, 20-year-old Jesse Balcerak of Boone was driving a 2006 Ford Ranger in the northbound lanes of U.S. 321. Troopers report that Balcerak ran off the road to the left, before overcorrecting his vehicle, causing it to overturn several times. The truck then came to rest in the northbound lanes of the highway.

Raleigh, NC (October 25, 2020) – The man who was killed in a motorcycle accident in Raleigh has now been identified by authorities. The crash originally took place on Friday, October 23 along South Saunders Street, near the exit ramp to Interstate 40.

According to police, the deceased victim was identified as Patrick Long Matusie of Garner. Police say that Matsuie was traveling straight through an intersection when he was hit by a vehicle driven by Robert Archie Scott, of Dillon, SC. Scott was traveling southbound on Saunders when he attempted to make a left turn towards the exit ramp. The intersection was marked with traffic signs indicating that left turns were not allowed. As Scott made his turn, he collided with Matusie’s motorcycle. Matusie was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries.

Police have charged Scott with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle for his role in the crash. Alcohol was not a factor in the accident. There is no additional information available at this time.

Garner, NC (October 22, 2020) – At least two people were killed following a crash that took place on North Carolina Highway 42 on Wednesday, October 21st. The crash happened around 2:30 p.m. near a Walmart Super Center.

Onslow County, NC (October 12, 2020) – Police have identified the victim of a hit-and-run accident that took place last week in Onslow County. The crash occurred on Wednesday, October 7th along North Carolina Highway 258, near Stillwood Drive.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the crash scene. According to a report from troopers, 30-year-old Jonathan Palmero was walking near the roadway just before dawn when he was hit by a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene following the crash. Palmero was rushed to Naval Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

Officers were later able to locate the driver, identified as Jose Madera. Madera was charged with felony hit and run. It is not known at this time why he chose to flee the crash scene. No other injuries were reported and there is no word on potential charges against Madera.