NORTH CAROLINA CAR CRASHES (This list only contains automobile crashes with unusual circumstances or with more than five fatalities.) To find all car crashes, search the text archive with subject=auto and subject=fatality. July 14, 1998 Durham A van carrying seven people hit a guard rail and rolled over several times after blowing a tire on I-40 near NC751. The accident occured Sunday and tied up traffic for 3 miles in either direction for several hours. Emir Romero, one of several passengers thrown from the vehicle, died later at Duke Medical Center of servere head injuries. None were wearing seat belts and only 4 were in seats. Hampering rescue efforts was the fact that none of the van's passengers spoke english. A relative following in another car was able to help. June 23, 1998 Chatham County Six people killed and two seriously injured in head-on crash on NC 902 near Harper's Crossroads. It is not thought that speed or alcohol contributed to this accident. Accident was about 12 miles south of Siler City. December 31, 1997 Columbus County Five people killed in head-on collision on U.S.74. Among dead was James Allen Cartrette, Jr. (early this year was subject of investigation regarding influence peddling in Gov. Hunt's admin.) and two other members of his family. Two persons killed in the other car. Stretch of road called "Death Alley" by locals. December 25, 1997 US 64 About 11 miles west of Manteo, four members of a Johnson City, Tennesee family were killed when their car ran off the road and sank into a roadside canal. December 20, 1997 I-95 near Lumberton Five New Jersey residents killed when their van sideswiped a car on I-85 near South Carolina border. Five New Jersey residents in that car were injured. December 15, 1997 Ramseur, Randolph County Car traveling south on NC49 crossed center line and hit another car killing 6 people including a 4-year old girl traveling with her parents. Alcohol may have played a role. July 30, 1997 Plymouth, Washington County Tractor-trailer hits an SUV coming in opposite direction broadside 10 high-school band members in the SUV killed; truck driver slightly injured 17-yr old driver of SUV attempted to pass 3 cars in a no-passing zone on a rain-slick road, lost control and went off the road. July 20, 1997 Lake Gaston Van ran a stop sign and struck car carrying 4 people 3 killed, including Carrboro fire captain, driver of van (retired Chapel Hill fire captain) seriously injured, one car passenger critically injured Driver of van charged with DWI June 30, 1997 I85, Durham, near Avondale Drive Van collided with metal pole in median 5-yr old killed, 9 injured, 2 critically Driver fell asleep at the wheel June 24, 1997 Leesville Road, Raleigh Rear door of passing truck opens and hits pedestrians 20-yr old man and 19 yr-old woman killed Lack of sidewalks in area cited as growing concern April 26, 1997 Atlantic Avenue, Raleigh Car loses control, crosses center line and hit minivan 4 men in car killed, 2 in van critically injured - all victims Mexican immigrants Car going over 90mph, drinking suspected April 5, 1997 US501, northern Durham County Tractor-trailer collided with car, crushing it 2 of car's occupants killed, truck driver and remaining car passenger injured Truck had inadequate brakes; incapable of stopping in time - charges expected April 4, 1997 Charlotte Driver lost control while passing, spun into path of oncoming fire truck 2 16-yr olds in car killed, day after tougher teen driving law passed Motorcycle Accident March 22, 1997 Mcadenville, Gaston County Motorcylist crossed railroad trestle over river, lost control and fell into river 16-yr old motorcyclist killed March 7, 1997 Riley Hill Road, Wendell Pickup truck hits 12-yr old running across road to catch school bus Girl killed, pickup driver not charged February 27, 1997 Northern Durham County Pickup truck first sideswiped car, then slammed into minivan 4-yr old girl in minivan killed, 2 other children and parents injured Driver drunk, with an open container and drug materials, revoked license; tried to leave scene. Four felony charges, plus 1st-degree murder December 27, 1996 Whitakers, Nash County Man loses control of car during illegal drag race and crashes into spectators 2 people killed, 6 injured; driver charged with involuntary manslaughter December 4, 1996 Rocky Mount Head-on collision between car and truck 2 NC Wesleyan College basketball players killed, truck driver injured Cause unknown School Bus Accident December 2, 1996 Pikeville School bus ran off road and flipped over 5 adults and 24 children (ages 3-5) injured Bus driver charged with exceeding safe speed, driving on wrong side October 6, 1996 Charlotte Car struck by another car being pursued by the Highway Patrol 2 in struck car killed, driver of pursued car seriously injured October 5, 1996 Clayton 12-yr old boy hit with pickup truck as he tries to cross street Boy killed October 4, 1996 Apex Van hit by car being pursued by police Drivers of van and car killed, three van passengers injured October 3, 1996 Nashville, Nash County 2 car crash 3-yr old boy killed, mother and 3 other adults injured Tractor-trailer/van accident August 23, 1996 I-85, north of Durham Tractor-trailer hits 2 vans 8 killed; tractor-trailer driver faced 8 felony charges - resulted in mistrial 9/22/97 School Bus Accident May 17, 1991 Cornelius, Mecklenburg County Dump truck slams into school bus 3 children killed, 12 more and bus driver injured School Bus/Tractor-trailer Accident May 21, 1985 Snow Hill, Greene County 7 killed, 20 injured June 6, 1957 Cumberland County Van and truck carrying migrant workers collides 20 killed *This file is incomplete and remains under construction. To make suggestions, additions or corrections, please email the address below. ----------------------------------------- LAST UPDATED: July 16, 1998 ljames@nando.com