Brent Adams & Associates Blog

Man Who Survived Garner ConAgra Plant Explosion Killed In Crash

A man who survived the recent ConAgra plant explosion in Garner died of the personal injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident on June 30.

On the day of the explosion, 39-year-old James Evans was preparing to start a machine in the packaging section of the south building, where the blast occurred.

In the June 9 incident, three people died and dozens more suffered personal injuries. However, Evans, a plant supervisor and father of twins, made it out alive.

Exactly three weeks lately, Evans was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Taylor said the crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on June 30 on N.C. 42 in Garner. He said three vehicles were involved.

According to Taylor, at that time a cement truck owned by S.T. Wooten in Wilmington was southbound on Rock Service Station Road, Evans was northbound on a 1995 Honda motorcycle, and a Kia minivan was westbound on N.C. 42. The van failed to stop for a stop sign and collided with Evans, ejecting him from the bike. He landed in the road and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The minivan’s driver, 58-year-old Willow Spring resident Catherine Girouard, suffered minor injuries and 42-year-old Fuquay-Varina resident Randy Campbell, the driver of the cement truck, was uninjured, according to Taylor.

Taylor said Girouard has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Four Injured In Fiery Crash Near Angier

Four people required transport to WakeMed for the personal injuries they suffered in a fiery two-car crash in the Kennebec area near Angier on July 1 at approximately 5:30 p.m. near the intersection of N.C. 55 and Maude Stewart Road.

Fuquay-Varina resident Tim Hall, who witnessed the crash, said that a Ford Explorer quickly engulfed in flames after a collision with a Saturn van.

According to Fuquay-Varina Battalion Fire Chief B. Whitley, by the time firefighters arrived, the SUV was “fully involved in fire.”

Details about the names of the victims and the cause of the accident have yet to be released. Wake County Highway Patrolman I.J. Cooper is investigating the crash.

Driver Charged In May Crash That Killed Raleigh High School Student

The driver of a vehicle involved in a May crash in which a Raleigh high school student died of the personal injuries he suffered has been charged.

On July 1, 18-year-old Chadius Dominick Watson was charged with one count of death by motor vehicle, one count of seatbelt violation, and one count of operating a vehicle with improper equipment, which police say was excessively worn tires.

According to Raleigh police, on May 5, Watson was driving the vehicle when 18-year-old Kevin Lanier Jones died. Watson and four others suffered injuries in the crash.

The wreck report said that Watson was southbound on Sunnybrook Road when his vehicle crossed the center line and collided with a vehicle driven by 44-year-old Susan Mann, who also suffered injuries in the crash.

Jones was a senior at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School. Watson and three others in the vehicle were also students there. Mann is employed as a nurse at the school.

Spring Lake Man Seriously Injured In Collision With Tractor Trailer

On June 30, a man from Spring Lake required air transport to UNC Hospital for the personal injuries he suffered when his car crashed into a tractor trailer on N.C. 690, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

According to a spokesperson from the hospital, 61-year-old Vincent Bernard Scurry was listed in fair condition.

According to the report Trooper Darrell Barber filed, the wreck occurred shortly before 2 p.m. approximately three miles east of Vass.

According to Barber, Scurry was eastbound in a 1995 Buick when the vehicle crossed the center line and collided with a westbound Peterbilt truck.

The driver of the truck, which was registered to GS Materials Inc., was driven by 29-year-old Sanford resident Eric Ashworth.

Reports say Scurry was pinned inside the vehicle and N.C. 690 had to be briefly closed.

A passenger in Scurry’s vehicle, 42-year-old Spring Lake resident Mary Munnerlyn, received transport to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. Her condition was not made available, but according to reports, she may have suffered a broken leg.

The report did not cite speed or alcohol as factors, but said that Scurry was not wearing his seat belt.

Police cited Scurry for driving left of center.

Garner Motorcyclist Killed In Crash

On the evening of Tuesday, June 30, a 39-year-old man from Garner died of the personal injuries he suffered when a car ran a red light on N.C. 42 and struck the motorcycle he was driving.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, James “Junior” Evans was northbound on a motorcycle shortly before 6 p.m. when a westbound car ran a red light and collided with Evans’ motorcycle and another vehicle.

Dunn Man Sentenced For Fatal Raleigh Hit-And-Run

A man from Dunn has been sentenced to the maximum 19-23 months in prison after pleading guilty in Wake County court to an April hit-and-run crash in which a chef from Raleigh died of the personal injuries he suffered.

On June 30, 28-year-old Gavin Clifford Hawk pleaded guilty to a charge of felony death by motor vehicle in connection to a fatal crash that took the life of Ian “Spyk” Quick, a chef at the Raleigh Times.

According to witnesses, on April 26, Hawk had just left a hockey game in his yellow Nissan Xterra and Quick was riding his moped near the Gorman Street exit of Interstate 40 when the collision occurred.

Hawk was arrested two days after the incident after Raleigh Police received an anonymous phone call and he reportedly attempted suicide after his arrest.

Witnesses say after the collision occurred, Hawk “pretty much floored it.”

Hawk had prior convictions on his record for DWI and felony fleeing to elude arrest.

Three Injured in Micro

Three Injured in Micro

 

An accident in Micro June 25 injured three people.

 

The driver of a Toyota traveling south on U.S. Highway 301 swerved near the intersection of Wilson Street over-corrected and hit a Ford pickup truck.

 

Police did not release any names.

 

The injured were transported to Wake Medical Center. Two children were listed in serious but stable condition.

 

The driver of the Toyota was charged with felony serious injury by vehicle, driving with a revoked license and reckless driving.

Collision Claims Life of Infant

Collision Claims Life of Infant

 

A 4-month old child was killed in an accident on Monday afternoon on U.S. 301 near Wade.

 

Mary Sangster of Hope Mills was driving a station wagon north on U.S. 301 and attempting to make a left turn onto Rich Walker Road. Her 4-month old baby and 4-year old child were passengers in her vehicle. Both children were in child restraint seats.

 

John Cain of Stedman was operating a pickup on U.S. 301 north. Cain swerved to the left to avoid a collision, but rear-ended Sangster’s vehicle.

 

Both vehicles ran off the road and over-turned.

 

The accident is being investigated by the N.C. Highway Patrol.

N.C. State Linebacker Nate Irving Injured In Crash

On June 28, N.C. State linebacker Nate Irving suffered personal injuries in an Interstate 40 crash near mile marker 314.

According to North Carolina Highway Patrol spokesman Capt. Everett Clendenin, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Irving was westbound on I-40 when his vehicle ran into the median and he overcorrected, causing the vehicle to run off the road and collide with two trees. Irving suffered a broken leg and a collapsed lung in the crash.

Irving received paramedic transport to WakeMed, where he was listed in good condition later that evening.

According to Annabelle Myers, sports information director for N.C. State, Irving was traveling from his hometown of Wallace to Raleigh at the time of the accident. Troopers say it appears he may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

Irving’s mother, Frances Corbett, confirmed Myers’ account, saying that her son was returning to the university from Wallace.

Clendenin said that police charged Irving with careless and reckless driving.

Irving’s status is unknown for the upcoming season.

The junior was an honorable mention all-Atlantic Coast Conference player last season, despite injuries causing him to miss nearly one-third of the season. He tied for third on the team in tackles with 84.

Fayetteville Woman Dies After Being Pinned Beneath Overturned Car

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, on June 24, a woman from Fayetteville died of the personal injuries she suffered when she lost control of her vehicle on Slocomb Road.

Trooper S.C. Spivey said that the driver, 20-year-old Katherine Marie Hales, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred about five miles north of Fayetteville.

Spivey said the crash was reported at approximately 7:30 a.m.

According to Spivey, Hales, who was traveling at a speed between 60 and 65 mph in a Chevrolet Cobalt, ran off the road, overcorrected, and ran off the road a second time, striking a ditch and overturning.

Spivey said Hales was not wearing her seat belt and was partially ejected and pinned under the vehicle.

Minivan Flips Onto Roof After Being Rear-Ended

On June 23, a minivan overturned and ended up on its roof after being struck from behind by another vehicle on Murchison Road.

Fayetteville Police Officer D.H. West said that no serious personal injuries were suffered, but the driver of the minivan required hospital transport.

The collision, which occurred across from Rhudy’s Jewelry Showroom, was reported shortly after 9 a.m.

According to West, the minivan and a black Mazda were both traveling on Murchison Road in the direction of Fayetteville, with the minivan in front on the four lane road.

The minivan slowed down in order to make a right-hand turn into the parking lot of a medical clinic and was struck on the right rear corner by the Mazda. The impact caused the minivan to flip onto its roof and land in the yard of Parks Chapel Freewill Baptist Church.

West said police cited the Mazda’s driver with failure to reduce speed.

Three Injured In Crash On Hope Mills Road

Three people required hospital transport for the personal injuries they suffered in a collision between their car and a pickup truck at Hope Mills and George Owen roads in Fayetteville on June 23.

According to Lt. Joel Acciardo of the Hope Mills Police Department, Charles Wagner was eastbound in a Ford truck on George Own when a blue 1998 Ford car driven by 22-year-old Benjamin Harrell III pulled out in front of him at the intersection with Hope Mills at approximately 11 a.m.

Harrell and both of his passengers, 17-year-old Steven McCarty and 16-year-old Corwin Clark required transport to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to Acciardo.

Fayetteville Woman Killed In Fiery Collision With Bridge

On June 23, a woman from Fayetteville died of the personal injuries she suffered when her SUV collided head-on with a bridge support on Interstate 95.

According to Trooper Greg Steffens of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, 30-year-old Elvia Willison was southbound in a Toyota Sequoia at approximately 5 p.m. when she ran off the road and collided with the bridge, causing the vehicle to burst into flames.

Steffens said Willison died on impact.

No other serious injuries were reported, but Cumberland County sheriff’s deputies had to close the bridge to traffic for several hours.

Steffens said the crash remains under investigation, but it doesn’t seem that the SUV tried to slow down.

Steffens said the bridge was inspected by engineers from the Department of Transportation, who said it was undamaged in the crash and was structurally sound.

Erwin Man Killed In Crash On Highway 217

Shortly after 2 a.m. on June 22, an Erwin man died of the personal injuries he suffered in a crash on N.C. 217, according to the Highway Patrol.

Trooper B.O. Johnson said that 37-year-old William Dean McKinney was southbound at a high rate of speed when he ran off the left side of the road while rounding a right-hand curve and struck a highway sign and utility pole.

The vehicle eventually came to rest on private property.

McKinney received transport to Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital, but Johnson did not know if he died on impact or at the hospital.

NC Poultry Plant Resumes Operation After Ammonia Leak Kills One, Injures Four

Two days after an ammonia leak caused the death of one employee and personal injuries to four others, a Lumber Bridge, North Carolina poultry processing plant has resumed operations.

According to Mountaire Farms, it will reopen on June 22 and hold an internal meeting for employees for the purpose of answering questions regarding the June 20 incident. The company, which is based out of Millsboro, Delaware, also said it would have grief counselors on hand.

According to investigators, they have determined that the cause of the ammonia release was an accident as workers were performing maintenance on a piece of machinery.

According to authorities, the accident caused the death of 47-year-old Fayetteville resident Clifton Swain.

The company said that the plant has been inspected by authorities and has been declared safe.

Second Person Dies After Head-On Collision On Gillis Hill Road

According to a spokeswoman for UNC Hospitals, a woman involved in a head-on collision on June 18 on Gillis Hill Road died of the personal injuries she suffered in the crash on June 20.

According to a preliminary investigation, the woman, 20-year-old Hope Mills resident Dana Royal, may have lost control of her vehicle, left the road, overcorrected, and struck a van head-on.

The occupants of the van, Ardella and Terry Coonfield, were trapped in the burning van after the crash. Officer Mark Jodoin was able to pull Terry Coonfield free from the van and firefighters extracted his mother from the vehicle. However, a relative said that Ardella Coonfield died shortly after the crash.

Harnett County Man Dies In NC 217 Crash

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, a man from Harnett County died of the personal injuries he suffered when his vehicle ran off the road shortly after 2 a.m. on June 22 on N.C. 217 in Lillington and collided with a utility pole, causing some residents to lose power.

According to the police report, 37-year-old William Dean McKinney was southbound in a 2000 Ford car when he crossed the center line while going around a curve. The vehicle then went off the road, struck a sign and a utility pole, and finally came to rest in a yard.

The report says that McKinney, who was wearing his seat belt, was estimated to have been driving at a speed of 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.

According to a spokesman for Progress Energy, approximately 1,380 of their customers in Harnett and Cumberland counties lost power until around 6:30 a.m. He said approximately 1,200 of those were in the Linden area in Cumberland County.

NC Tourist Dies In Fall From Third Floor of Myrtle Beach Hotel

According to officials, a tourist from North Carolina has died of the personal injuries he suffered in a fall from the third floor of a hotel in Myrtle Beach.

According to Horry County, South Carolina Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard, 46-year-old Weaverville resident Charles Rees was pronounced dead early on the morning of June 21.

According to Willard, Rees’ death was caused by a fall from the third floor of Holliday South. An investigation into the incident is currently being conducted by the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

North Carolina Officially Bans Texting While Driving

After months of consideration, the North Carolina General Assembly has passed new legislation that bans texting while driving for vehicle operators of any age. The new law was approved by the NC House and Senate, who have passed the bill along to Governor Beverly Perdue. Perdue is expected to sign the bill, which will take effect across the state on December 1, 2009.

Exceptions to the bill include emergency responders as well as those who are using GPS systems or voice-activated mobile devices.

A number of other states have also recently passed similar laws, citing the fact that drivers cannot text while keeping both hands on the road or while keeping their eyes on the road. Even more states have banned the practice among city drivers and teens, hoping to curb the number of car accidents.

Violators of the new texting ban will face $100 fines and the cost of court, although some opponents of the bill mentioned that the law will be hard to enforce.

Harnett County Teen Injured When His Dirt Bike Hit By Car

A teenager from Harnett County suffered personal injuries when his dirt bike collided with a car on June 16 when he apparently turned in front of the car near Mamers, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

According to Highway Patrol Sgt. Vince Terry, 17-year-old Robert Gidron was struck as he turned right on his dirt bike onto Old U.S. 421 from Thomas Dickens Road.

The driver of the car, Lela McLean, said she saw Gidron look “right into (her) eyes” before the impact. She says she attempted to stop but knew it was too late.

Terry said that Gidron was conscious and able to talk to him after the collision and was able to give his name and address. Gidron was transported to Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford.

Driver Charged After One Dead, Two Injured In I-95 Crash Near Benson

One teenager from Virginia died and two others suffered personal injuries in an accident on Interstate 95, just south of Exit 79 in Benson.

The crash was the only fatality in the area during the recent graduation weekend.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol says that 18-year-old Jesse Wood Sheppard died after being ejected from the vehicle driven by 19-year-old Robert Corns.

The teens and another passenger, 19-year-old Christopher Bryce Howell, were northbound en route to Virginia while returning from a road trip when Corns clipped a vehicle in the left lane while attempting to make a lane change.

The impact forced Corns’ vehicle off the right side of the road, where it overturned multiple times and ejected Sheppard from the back seat of the vehicle. He was the only one not wearing a seat belt.

Corns and Howell were both injured in the crash and received transport to WakeMed. Corns was released after treatment, but Howell remained and was listed in good condition as of June 15.

The other vehicle’s driver was uninjured.

Police charged Corns with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. He was released on $5,000 bail.

Area Highway Patrol offices say the accident was the only fatality to occur over a weekend in which hundreds of students graduated from high schools in the area.

According to Harnett County Highway Patrol Sgt. Vincent Terry, fatal accidents in the area have decreased by half so far in 2009, a trend he hopes will continue now that school is out for the summer and more drivers will be on the roads.

Fairmont Woman Killed In Crash

On June 14, a woman from Fairmont died of the personal injuries she suffered when she lost control of her vehicle on Pleasant Hope Road and struck a tree shortly after 12:30 a.m.

According to Trooper B.K. Covington, 46-year-old Mary Lois Locklear was traveling north in a 1994 Oldsmobile when she crossed the center line, ran off the left side of the road, returned to the road, then crossed over to the right side where it left the road again, striking a ditch and partially overturning into a tree in the front yard of a nearby home.

Covington’s report said that Locklear was traveling at approximately 70 mph in a 55 mph zone and was not wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash.

Woman Claims Fall On Water From Leaking Roof At Wal-Mart

A woman has filed a personal injury suit against Wal-Mart, alleging that a puddle of water that had accumulated under a leaking roof caused her to slip and fall.

According to the suit Valerie Jackson filed against Wal-Mart Stores East Inc. on June 4 in Texas’ Jefferson County District Court, she was a customer at the Wal-Mart in Port Arthur, Texas when she fell on the puddle.

Jackson claims the fall caused her to incur medical expenses and experience physical pain, suffering, and impairment, mental anguish, and fear of future disease.

The suit alleges negligence against Wal-Mart for allowing the rainwater to accumulate on the floor, failure to remove the water, failure to provide adequate lighting in the area of the water, and failure to warn Jackson of the slippery floor.

Jackson seeks unspecified damages, plus costs.

Woman Files Suit After Fall At Video Store

A woman has filed suit against a video store, alleging that she was injured when she fell off an unmarked step in the parking lot.

According to the suit Juanita Mullins filed against Video Village on May 20 in West Virginia’s Kanawha Circuit Court, she was a customer at the store on January 10, 2008 she fell over an unmarked step while leaving the store and heading to her car, causing her to be “thrown to the ground.”

Mullins claims the fall caused her to suffer knee, side, and right shoulder injuries. The suit says she received transport to Charleston Area Medical Center before being transferred to Healthsouth in Huntington on January 14.

According to Mullins, she remained in the hospital until January 29, causing her to accumulate $34,023 in medical costs.

Mullins seeks compensatory damages and costs of suit.

Seaman Files Suit Over Delay In Returning Ashore For Medical Treatment

A seaman has filed suit against his employer, alleging that after he suffered personal injuries while working aboard a ship, he was not immediately returned to the shore for medical attention.

According the suit filed by Sorin Rascol in Texas’ Jefferson County District Court on June 8, he was employed as a seaman aboard the Seabulk Pride for Seabulk International on December 20, 2006 when he suffered injuries to his shoulder and body because of defective equipment.

Rascol says that he requested to be taken ashore to seek medical treatment, but was denied at first and then delayed.

Rascol claims the incident caused him to experience physical pain, mental anguish, lost earnings, lost earning capacity, loss of life’s pleasures, lost physical capacity, disfigurement, and lost ability to perform household services and incurred medical expenses.

The suit alleges negligence on the part of Seabulk International for failure to provide a safe place to work, failure to provide prompt medical attention, and operation of a vessel that was not seaworthy.

Rascol seeks unspecified damages.