A two vehicle accident Tuesday night claimed one life and left a second person seriously injured. The driver charged with causing the crash allegedly blamed failing headlights as the reason he didn’t stop at a rural stop sign.
The Highway Patrol said the crash happened at 10:00pm on Highway 42 at Creech’s Church Road outside of Kenly.
A red Jeep SUV was traveling southbound on Creech’s Church Road and failed to stop at a stop sign at Highway 42 striking the passenger side of a silver Pontiac passenger car traveling westbound on Highway 42.
There were two people in the Pontiac. One occupant was ejected and died at the scene. A second person was seriously injured and taken to Wake Medical Center in Raleigh.
The driver and passenger in the Jeep sustained minor injuries. Both reportedly told troopers the headlights on the Jeep were failing and that’s why they didn’t stop at the stop sign. The driver of the Jeep, Lamaar Earl O’Neal of Middlesex, was arrested for misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Troopers do not believe alcohol was a contributing factor.
The name of the victim has not been released pending notification of their next of kin.
Photos by John Payne
