Driver Killed In Crash

The Highway Patrol has released the name of a man killed in a single car accident in northern Johnston County.  Troopers said 22 year-old Sheldon Rayshawn Baker, 22, of Middlesex was traveling on Highway 39 near the Wake County line around 3:00pm Sunday. 

Trooper D.T. Sharpe reported that Baker ran off the right side of the roadway in a 2003 Buick Park Avenue, overcorrected, came back onto the roadway, then ran off the left side of NC39 before colliding with a power pole.  Baker died at the scene. Troopers believe speed was a contributing factor. 

The roadway was closed for four hours while the wreckage was being cleared and to allow power crews to replace the broken utility pole.  Photo by John Payne