Fatal Crash Involving Car, Farm Tractor Under Investigation
BENSON, N.C. — A Benson man died after his car collided with a farm tractor in southern Johnston County. State troopers responded to the crash around 8:23 a.m. Friday on Woods Crossroads Road at the I-40 overpass.
Investigators said Otis Jikeam Giles, 36, of Marler Road, Benson, was driving a 2016 Dodge Charger north on Woods Crossroads Road when the vehicle slightly crossed the center line while crossing the I-40 overpass and sideswiped a John Deere farm tractor.
The tractor, equipped with a folded rear fertilizer sprayer boom, was being operated by Stephen Richard Thomas, 48, of Benson.
According to troopers, the left arm of the boom entered the driver’s side window of the Charger and struck Giles.
Investigators said Giles’ vehicle ran off the left side of the road, struck a cable box and two ditch culverts before crossing back into the northbound lane and eventually coming to rest in a ditch on the right shoulder.
Giles died as a result of his injuries.
Thomas was not injured in the crash.
Troopers said speed, inattention and crossing left of center were contributing factors. Giles was also not wearing a seat belt. Alcohol or drugs are not suspected, but toxicology results are pending.
No charges will be filed.
Woods Crossroads Road was closed for approximately three hours while authorities investigated the crash.
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact the Highway Patrol District Office in Smithfield at 919-934-2186 or dial *HP (*47) from their cell phone to reach the Raleigh Communications Center.
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20 Comments
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I am speechless after reading what happened. I am so sorry for his family. I imagine the farmer is also traumatized. Wow.
Search the guy’s name. He was also in the news in December.
The deceased?
And that was dismissed that I know so learn facts first.
exactly
Why does that matter? December!! It is 2026!!
No one cares.
So what Trump in the News everyday, go talk about that!
Yes it’s very sad no matter what
He’s still a human being
what does that have to do with his death…. nothing at all
What does that have to do with anything a life was taken
Even with the distracted driver argument, it’s hard to imagine someone just swerving into the lane of a huge tractor.
The government quick to bring up your past but never nothing to say about your better good.. SMH ..do quick to judge on the blacks and minorities
Doesn’t matter what has happened before his death, he’s still human everyone has & has had a PAST, IF you don’t know how to give Positive Comments about whatever y’all read or hear DON’T PASS YOUR JUDGEMENTS IT’S NOT FOR THAT PERIOD!!!
🙏 My Condolences to his CHILDREN and of course the Giles/Ward Families! May God give y’all strength during your time!
It’s sad you lost a family member and that fuels your anger when someone comments about their past.
But, their past is relevant in a driving crash case. Meaning, if he had a pattern of poor driving, speeding, or any other driving offense, he obviously didn’t learn his lesson from any tickets or arrests. Not saying that is what happened, but on a LOT of cases it is.
Sorry for your loss and prayers to you and your family.
It is a very sad situation. There are two families that will be deeply affected for the rest of their lives. The family of the deceased of course and I am so sorry to hear of such a tragic death. The man driving the tractor that probably will relive this every day for the rest of his life trying to figure out what he could have possibly done to keep it from happening. My heart and blessings go out to both of the families, praying God will bring them through this devastating moment.
Man all these ppl in the comments talking about what that got to do with it and his past don’t matter I don’t think the person really was being funny I think they thought it was juss a coincidence. Y’all need to tighten up y’all weird ash in joco
From what I understand he was speeding, had just passed a car going too fast and was trying to pass the tractor! The driver of the car saw the entire thing. The man driving the tractor couldn’t move over to avoid the accident fast enough! I am so sorry this happened! People please slow down, the lives you save are important to their families, no matter what!! The man on the tractor will be haunted by this for quite some time, so will the person driving the car he passed!
The driver of the John Deere tractor was coming towards Otis. He was not passing the tractor one was coming northbound, 1 was coming southbound.\n The boom hangs over, this is just a freak accident.