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North Carolina Motor Vehicle Crashes: State Highway Patrol Reports 9 Traffic Deaths Over Memorial Day Weekend

According to preliminary statistics from the N.C. Highway Patrol, nine people were killed in North Carolina motor vehicle accidents over the Memorial Day weekend. That is the same amount of people that died over last year?s 3-day holiday period when 534 motor vehicle riders were injured.

Also killed over this holiday weekend, but on Friday morning?which is not included in the NC Highway Patrol's holiday weekend injury and death report, which covers the period beginning 6pm on Friday through Monday at midnight?was a family of four. Wayne Pride Hicks, his wife Natalie, and their five children were taking advantage of the long weekend to meet with Wayne?s biological father, who had never met his daughter-in-law and grandchildren before.

However, on Friday morning, on Interstate 77 close to Elkin, the minivan they were riding in drove across a 60-foot wide median, hitting oncoming traffic and crashing at full speed into two other vehicles. Wayne, 44, Natalie, 35, Wayne Jr., 10, and Natalie, 3 all died in the tragic North Carolina car accident. The three surviving children, Elijah, 8, John, 7, and Josiah, 5, were treated at a hospital for their injuries. Police think Wayne may have fallen asleep while driving.

Also killed in the deadly North Carolina traffic accident was Hickory resident Bryan Mowry, who was riding the pickup truck that was struck by the minivan Wayne was driving. The other person riding in the car with the 59-year-old car accident victim was Sandra Mowry, 57, who was seriously injured. 50-year-old Bonnie Casstevents Weddle, whose car was also struck head-on by the minivan, was treated at a hospital for her injuries before being released.

With summer fast approaching and more people expected to travel on state roads, North Carolina troopers are taking more steps to prevent traffic crashes. The state?s Highway Patrol has been part of the nationwide ?Click-It or Ticket? seatbelt campaign meant to remind people that there are consequences to not wearing a safety belt.

9 die in NC wrecks over Memorial Day weekend, Citizen-Times, May 26, 2009

Van crash in North Carolina kills four from Queens family on way to a first-time reunion, Daily News, May 23, 2009

Fifth Person In I-77 Crash Dies, Fox 8, May 23, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Click It or Ticket, North Carolina Department of Transportation

NHTSA

Full post as published by North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog on May 28, 2009 (boomark / email).