The State Highway Patrol announced late-Tuesday the driver of a Lowe’s Home Improvement box truck has been charged in a two-vehicle collision earlier today that claimed the life of a well-known funeral home director. Norman L. Dunn, 71, of Wood Lee Road, Four Oaks, the operator of West & Dunn Funeral Homes, died instantly in the 10:33am accident on Highway 13 at Alex Benton Road near Newton Grove.
Trooper C.C. Hall with the Sampson County Highway Patrol reported Mr. Dunn was traveling eastbound on Highway 13 in a 2008 Lincoln Town Car when a Lowe’s Home Improvement 2020 International box truck traveling on Alex Benton Road failed to stop at a stop sign. The truck struck the car in the left side, forcing both vehicles off the road. The truck overturned. The car came to rest against a tree.
The truck driver, Kelvin Keon Estes, 35, of Wake Forest, reportedly told troopers he was following GPS and never saw the stop sign. He voluntarily submitted to a blood test and alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the collision, the Highway Patrol said.
A passenger in the Lowe’s truck, Patrick Ernest Gray Jr., 40, of Clayton was transported to the hospital by family members on the scene for minor injuries.
Estes was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and failure to stop at a stop sign.
Wow, this is a shock to my wife and I. Knowing Mr. Dunn for over 30 years, he was a caring person that went above the call of duty for anyone. May he be with God and prayers for all his family.
Me and my husband went to church with mr. Norman and his family. He was a very nice person and loved his granddaughters and daughter. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for the family.
Prayers for the family and the community! CThe lose of Mr Dunn is truly sad.