A teenager riding his bike Sunday evening was struck and killed on a rural roadway in northern Sampson County. The NC Highway Patrol responded to the crash just before 8:00pm on Baptist Chapel Road near Dunn Road.
Seventeen year-old Jackson Glenn Barefoot of Old Wrench School Road, Godwin, a rising senior at Midway High School, was riding his bicycle with a friend on the edge of the roadway when he was struck from behind by a Chevy Monte Carlo driven by Manley Carvelle Williams, 51, of Acorn Lane, Autryville. Barefoot was ejected and died from his injuries.
According to the Highway Patrol, Barefoot was in the lane with the flow of traffic and was wearing colorful clothes. The second bicyclist was not struck.
Troopers estimated Williams was traveling 55mph when his car struck the teen. Williams was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, failure to reduce speed and driving on a revoked license. Authorities believe inattention was a contributing factor. The sun was also setting and was bright and blinding at the time of the crash, which could have played a role. There were no skid marks from the vehicle prior to impact.
According to Midway High, Jackson Barefoot was a talented member of the school band and would have graduated with the class of 2019. The school requested prayers for his family. “He will be missed and will forever be a cherished member of the class of 2019! Rest easy,” according to a social media post from the school.
