The Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal collision that claimed the life of a teenager Monday night in rural Harnett County.
Around 9:15pm, troopers said a Mazda Protege, driven by Joseph Hardison, 25, of the 300 block of Eisler Drive, Lillington was traveling east on Microtower Road. At the same time, a pedestrian, 16 year-old Nasir Everette from the 800 block of Eisler Drive, Lillington was walking eastbound along the white line on the shoulder.
Everette was with two of his friends, 13 year-old Larvarus Artis of Fayetteville and Ariyana Henson, 15, of Eisler Drive, Lillington. Artis was on the westbound shoulder of the roadway walking east. Henson was riding her bicycle east in the westbound travel lane.
At some point, Hardison approached a slower vehicle on Microtower Road and tried to pass in a marked passing zone. As it began to pass, it struck Everette and Henson in the westbound lane. Everette died at the scene. Henson, who was ejected from her bicycle, was taken to Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Fayetteville where she was listed in stable condition on Tuesday. Artis, who was walking on the shoulder, was not injured.
The Highway Patrol said the accident is currently under investigation. So far, no charges have been filed.
