N.C. Highway Patrol Release

RALEIGH – Preliminary statistics indicate that five people died on North Carolina roadways during the New Year’s holiday enforcement period from Sunday, Dec. 31, 2012, through Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013. Last year there were four deaths during the same enforcement period.
Through Dec. 31, preliminary statistics indicate that 846 fatal collisions occurred on North Carolina highways during 2012. Out of the 846 collisions, 899 people died. Of that number, 98 were pedestrians, 15 were bicyclists and 79 were motorcyclists. A total of 204 fatal collisions resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.
Of the three fatal motor vehicle collisions during this holiday enforcement period, two were attributed to alcohol. Fatal collisions occurred in the following counties on Tuesday, Jan 1.
Robeson County in Fairmont had one fatality: vehicle no. 1, an ATV, was traveling on Pleasant Road. Vehicle no. 2 approached from the rear, striking vehicle no. 1. The impact caused vehicle no. 1 to run onto the left shoulder where the ATV overturned, killing the operator. Alcohol was involved.
Duplin County in Turkey also had one fatality: vehicle no. 1 was traveling west on Morrison Road when the vehicle ran unto the left shoulder, striking a tree and a utility pole, killing the operator. Alcohol was involved and the driver was not a wearing a seatbelt.
Buncombe County had three fatalities in single accident: vehicle no. 1, a Volvo, was traveling south on N.C. Highway 191 near Ledbetter Road when it traveled left of center into the path of a tractor trailer. The impact killed three occupants of the Volvo and injured the driver of the tractor-trailer. Speed was a contributing factor in this case.
Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Highway Patrol by dialing *Hp or *47 on a cellular phone. Callers should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license plate number if possible.