NCHP: Bad alternator behind fatal wreck
Published 3:08 pm Thursday, June 28, 2012
The North Carolina Highway Patrol completed its investigation of a wreck on U.S. Highway 17 on Sunday that killed two people.
The two-vehicle wreck happened around 8:57 p.m., according to a report from the Highway Patrol.
Hilton Ray Stilley, 76, died Sunday night and his wife, Mary Stilley, 75, died Monday morning as a result of the injuries suffered in the wreck.
First Sgt. Brandon Craft said the Stilleys were having car trouble before the wreck. The battery was the only thing powering their Mercury’s electric system, he said.
“Their alternator went bad on them, and their headlights were out as a result,” Craft said.
Hilton Stilley was driving about 45 mph at the time of the wreck. As his Mercury headed south on U.S. 17 without headlights, Jamesville resident Daniel Vann, 30, attempted to make a left turn onto U.S. 17 from State Road 1409, according to the report.
The Mercury hit the front left side of Vann’s GMC truck. All drivers and passengers were wearing seatbelts, according to the report.
Vann’s passengers, Janice Davenport, 28, and Nicholas Vann, 4, also of Jamesville, suffered injuries and were taken to Vidant Beaufort Hospital.
Vann faces no charges, according to the Highway Patrol.