CLAYTON – Clayton Police have formally charged a teenage driver with causing a deadly three-vehicle accident on US Highway 70 near the entrance to Walmart.
On June 26th around 2:45pm, police said a 17 year-old male juvenile was operating a 2005 Toyota Camry eastbound on Highway 70. Witnesses reported prior to the wreck, the Camry and an uninvolved black Dodge Ram pickup were driving in an aggressive manner at a high rate of speed.
While traveling eastbound, the Camry collided with a 2017 Toyota Rav4 operated by Joan Ann Drake, 63, of Clayton. Drake’s vehicle overturned and struck a 2023 Honda CRV stopped at the stop sign on Financial Drive, waiting to turn onto east bound US 70. Drake died at the scene from her injuries.
The teen driver and the operator of the Honda were transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Police Chief Greg Tart said the 17 year-old juvenile driver has now been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. The name of the teenager has not been released.
Misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and that’s all??? This kid knew what he was doing while he was doing it. He needs to pay the piper. Now an innocent person is dead. Disgusting, that’s what this is, disgusting.
Plus he came to hit another vehicle too. What about damages to both of their vehicles? No, this deserves more charges, including racing another vehicle as seen by witnesses, driving recklessly, speeding, and whatever else you all know about.
I believe all those are lesser included offenses in the misdemeanor death by motor vehicle as that was the cause of the wreck.
Agreed, however it is only considered a felony in North Carolina if the driver was impaired at the time.
I agree with the above comments by Steve and Becki; what a tragedy.
Misdemeanor death by motor vehicle is the proper charge…HOWEVER there should be a whole slew of other charges such as: Careless and reckless driving. [G.S. 20-140(a), (b), (f)], Death by vehicle. [G.S. 20-141.4], Aggressive driving. [G.S. 20-141.6], Unsafe movement resulting in crash causing property damage in excess of $5,000 or serious bodily injury.
[G.S. 20-154(a2)], Exceeding a safe speed or exceeding posted speed. [G.S. 20-141], Failure to reduce speed to avoid accident. [G.S. 20-141(m)]. Hopefully the driver loses his license and sees the maximum 150 day incarceration for the death by motor vehicle charge.
I’m very disappointed in the police for the singular indictment but I hope the family can sue the driver in civil court.