A Smithfield man was seriously injured in a three vehicle accident Tuesday on N. Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield. Police say a medical issue may have been a contributing factor.
Around 10:45am, Walton Davis Parker Jr., 77, of S. Crescent Drive, Smithfield was traveling southbound on N. Brightleaf Boulevard near Waddell Drive. A witness said Parker’s 2008 Chevy truck was in the right lane when it drifted into the left travel lane and continued to drift into the median turn lane before colliding with the side of a northbound tractor trailer driven by Marvin Edward Hatcher, 49, of Dudley.
After the impact, the pickup struck a 2012 Chrysler van operated by Christopher Bristow, 41, of Clearwater Drive, Smithfield.
Parker was pinned in the cab of his pickup approximately 30 minutes before being extricated. He was rushed by ambulance to Wake Med.
Hatcher, the driver of the semi, was not injured. Bristow received minor injuries but declined transport to the hospital.
Police estimated Parker was traveling at 20mph in a 35mph zone at the time he drifted across the lanes into the side of the truck. The semi was traveling at 35mph and the van at 30mph at the time of impact.
Officer W.T. Faircloth is still investigating. JoCoReport.com Photos
