North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident lawyers continue to take proactive steps to remind motorists of the dangers of drunken driving. Operating a vehicle under the influence is a crime and can cause cause serious injuries and claim lives.

Just last Sunday, 17-year-old Laura Fortenberry died after the car she was riding collided head-on with the auto driven by Bessemer City resident Howard Pasour on Dallas-Cherryville Highway in Gaston County. The two people riding in the car with the Lowell teen, 17-year-old Evan Griffith and 19-year-old Victoria Elizabeth Iffergan, were also taken to a Charlotte, North Carolina hospital.

Police say that Pasour, 28, drove his vehicle across the center line and that there were open alcohol containers in his Jeep Cherokee. He has three prior DWI convictions that in the past resulted in the revocation of his driver’s license and the requirement that he use an ankle bracelet. Pasour is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated felony death by motor vehicle, and habitual DWI.

In another North Carolina drunk driving accident earlier this month, an 18-year-old car crash victim was flown to Carolinas Medical Center after the car she was in went off the road and struck a tree. The driver of the vehicle, 18-year-old Stanley teen Amanda Joy Ross, faces a driving while impaired charge. She reportedly had a blood-alcohol content of 0.15.

Crack down on DWI, even if some ignore law, Charlotte Observer, July 28, 2010

Father of man charged in drunk driving death speaks out, WCNC, July 26, 2010

Teen accused of drunken driving in wreck that injures passenger, Gaston Gazette, July 14, 2010

Continue reading "North Carolina Drunk Driving Accidents Continue to Claim Lives" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to remind US motorists to drive safely during the summer driving season. Millions of Americans are expected to take to the roads over the next few months. To prevent these excursions or vacations from turning tragic, the NHTSA wants to remind motorists to:

• Avoid distracted driving, including texting or talking on a cell phone while behind a steering wheel.
• Stay up-to-date on auto maintenance.
• Make sure to inspect your tires and ensure that they are properly inflated.
• Obey the speed limit.
• Make sure everyone in the car is wearing an appropriate seat belt or child safety seat.
• Don’t leave children unattended near or in a vehicle.
• Don’t drive while exhausted or drowsy.
• Don’t drink and drive.

The NHTSA is reminding parents of teen drivers that there are preventive measures that they can take to prevent their teenagers from becoming involved in a deadly traffic crash this summer. Because many of them have more free time now that school is out, drivers in the 15 to 20 age group are at higher risk of being involved in an auto collision—already the leading cause of teenager deaths. The number of teen drunk driving fatalities are also known to go up during the summer months.

Our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident lawyers are committed to discouraging teens from driving drunk. Every year, we select a number of high school students as winners of the Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program. The recipients are selected based on their SAT scores, grades, community involvement, and original presentations that teach other kids about how dangerous it is to drive while under the influence. This year, winners each won a $2,500 college scholarship.

Teen driver risks in high gear over summer, USA Today, June 21, 2010

Consumer Advisory: Make Safety Your Constant Companion This Summer Driving Season, NHTSA, June 22, 2010

Related Web Resources:
North Carolina Department of Transportation

70 Rules of Defensive Driving, Road Trip America

Continue reading "Avoid Charlotte, North Carolina Car Accidents By Adhering to NHTSA Advisory on Safe Summer Driving " »

Was the driver that struck two pedestrians in Wrightsville Beach early Sunday morning text messaging while driving? Police say that they found a partially composed text on the screen of driver Jedediah Woodcock’s phone.

Woodcock, 32 , is accused of driving drunk when he struck Lindsey Casey and John Marc Miller. Casey, who was thrown 22 feet during the Wrightsville Beach traffic accident, broke her pelvis in six places, tore ligaments in her knee, suffered internal bleeding, and damaged her vertebrae. Miller, who was thrown 14 feet, had to have a rod inserted in his broken left leg. Witnesses say Woodcock was speeding in his car and “barely hit his brakes” when he struck the two pedestrians.

Following the North Carolina pedestrian accident, Woodcock blew .09 on a Breathalyzer test. Police also found marijuana in his vehicle. The 32-year-old motorist is charged with two counts of aggravated serious injury by a motor vehicle, driving while impaired, driving during revocation, and possession of marijuana. He has a prior DWI conviction.

Negligent Driving
Drivers must not only obey traffic laws, but they also must refrain from doing anything that would distract them from paying attention to the traffic around them or impair their reflexes and judgment in any way.

Drunk driving, distracted driving, texting while driving, talking on the cell phone, drowsy driving, driver inattention, driver inattention, and reckless driving are some of the more common reasons why North Carolina traffic crashes occur. A motorist who engages in careless or reckless driving can be held liable for North Carolina personal injury or wrongful death.

2 pedestrians hospitalized after being hit by driver Sunday in Wrightsville Beach, StarNewsOnline, June 3, 2010

Unfinished text found in car that hit pedestrians, WWAY3, June 4, 2010

Related Web Resources:

Distraction.gov

Injury Prevention & Control: Motor Vehicle Safety, CDC

Continue reading "Distracted Driving?: Unfinished Text Found in Vehicle Involved in North Carolina Car Accident that Injured Two Pedestrians" »

Each year, our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident law firm awards a number of high school seniors $2,500 college scholarships through the Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program. For the 2009 – 2010 academic school year,15 graduating seniors each received this award for their grades, SAT scores, involvement with their school and communities, and winning presentations aimed at educating fellow students about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving.

The scholarship program was open to applicants in the North Carolina and South Carolina counties where the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo represents clients, including Mecklenburg, Cleveland, Union, Gaston, Cabarrus, Catawba, Lincoln, Caldwell, Rowan, Anson, Iredell, Stanly, Robeson, Burke, Richmond, Scotland, Alexander, Cumberland, York, Chesterfield, Lancaster, Dillon, and Marlboro.

Whereas in years past, applicants had to answer an essay question by offering a suggestion or solution to how we can stop underage drinking and teen drunk driving, this year applicants were asked to choose among the latest technology and different genres to create presentations that provided ideas and solutions to the same topics. Three public service announcements, seven PowerPoint presentations, two speeches, two dedicated Web sites, and one brochure were included among the winning presentations.

Our Hickory, North Carolina car accident lawyers are very impressed with the presentations we received from all of our applicants. It is clear to us that there are many students who understand that driving while drunk can prove deadly. Our applicants offered unique suggestions for how this message can be better communicated to other teenagers.

Our Monroe, North Carolina motor vehicle accident law firm would like to congratulate the winners of the 2010 Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship program. We would like to invite you to visit our Web site so that you can meet this year’s recipients and watch their amazing presentations.

Scholarship Program, The Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo

Related Web Resources:
Underage Drinking

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Teen Drivers, CDC

Continue reading "Winners of the 2010 Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Join the Fight to Stop North Carolina Car Accidents Caused by Underage Drinking " »

The Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo, LLP and former WXII-TV morning anchor Tolly Carr are proud to present “Arrive Alive! Don’t Drink and Drive.” Our Charlotte, North Carolina motor vehicle crash law firm is bringing this community outreach program to area high schools next week as part of our ongoing efforts to prevent drunk driving among teenagers.

Since its inception by our Charlotte, North Carolina personal injury law firm in 2003, the Arrive Alive program has focused on high school juniors and seniors who are old enough to drive while still young enough to succumb to the pressures of underage drinking and driving—especially during prom, spring break, and graduation.

Arrive Alive will take place at the following locations during the times listed below:

Monday, 4/26: 9:30 a.m. at Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte
Tuesday, 4/27: 9:30 a.m. at West Caldwell High School in Lenoir
Wednesday, 4/28: 8:25 a.m. & 10:10 a.m. at Porter Ridge High School in Indian Trail
Thursday, 4/29: 9:00 a.m. at West Iredell High School in Statesville
Thursday, 4/29: 2:00 p.m. at Piedmont High School in Monroe
Friday, 4/30: 9:00 a.m. at David Butler High School in Matthews

Former Winston-Salem news anchor Tolly Carr will be the guest speaker. In March 2007, Carr drove drunk and killed a pedestrian. He served four months in county jail before being sentenced to 25 months at the North Carolina Department of Correction for the felony charge of death by motor vehicle. Since being released from prison in May 2009, Carr, who now lives in Greensboro, continues to speak to groups about his experiences in an effort to promote responsible decision making.

Also at each presentation, Charlotte, North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Michael A. DeMayo will share real life stories and images of fatal drunk driving collisions, including those that have claimed the lives of teenagers. Attorney DeMayo and his North Carolina personal injury law firm firmly believe that it is important to educate teenagers about the dangers of underage drinking and driving. Each year, the Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship program awards $37,500 in college scholarships to 15 graduating seniors for their academic achievements, community service, and respective presentations about how to educate and stop teenagers from driving drunk.

For more information about Arrive Alive, contact Community Relations Director Kristine Woolley at (704) 343-4644 or send her an email at kwoolley@demayolaw.com.

Related Web Resources:
Law Offices of MIchael A. DeMayo, LLP

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Teen Drivers, CDC

The Toll of Underage Drinking, The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Betty Fay Adams is suing Charla Dean Davis, Tony’s Bar, its owners Emma Ruth Simonds and Anthony Ruth Simonds, and vehicle owners Rex Earl Berglund and Detlef Grohs for her North Carolina car crash injuries. Adams sustained critical injuries during a deadly hit-and-run collision involving Davis, who was driving while intoxicated.

On August 7, 2008, Davis was driving on the Wilkinson Boulevard Bridge when she struck Adams, another person, and Charlotte tractor-trailer Ronnie Gene Eudy. The trucker had gotten out of his vehicle to assist the driver of the Ford Exhibition who was experiencing a medical emergency. Adams and the other car crash victim had been riding in the SUV. The impact of the collision killed Eudy and caused serious injury to Adams, who shattered bones in her legs, fractured her pelvis, bled profusely, and sustained permanent disability.

According to Adam’s Gaston County car accident complaint, Tony’s bar and its owners acted negligently when they kept serving Davis alcohol until she was visibly drunk and then let her drive off. Adams is accusing Grohs and Berglund of negligence for lending Davis a vehicle despite her bad driving record.

Davis, 46, has been convicted of numerous charges related to the North Carolina car accident, including second-degree murder, reckless driving, and drunken driving. She is sentenced to serve at least 27 years in prison, but her ruling is currently on appeal. Prior to the crash, she had previous DWI convictions on her record.

Meantime, Adams can now walk again but she is unable to bend her torso or run. Doctors had to insert rods in her body.

Driving While Intoxicated
Drunk driving can kill people. There is no question about it. Unfortunately, there are many motorists that disregard this warning or are unable to control their addictions and continue to drink and drive. There are also the motorists who imbibe too much on the rare occasion and make the mistake of getting in the driver's seat.

Woman injured in fatal DWI wreck in Belmont files lawsuit against driver, bar, Gaston Gazette, March 5, 2010

Woman faces second-degree murder charge, Charlotte Observer, September 5, 2008

Related Web Resources:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles

Continue reading "Woman Injured in Fatal Belmont, North Carolina Car Crash Sues Charlotte Bar and Hit-and-Run Driver " »

21-year-old Brendan Duan Bass has been charged with driving while impaired. Authorities say the Durham local was driving Thursday when he struck Vickie Elaine Riley, 48, also a local resident. Bass then lost control of his car and hit a Mercury Mountaineer before crashing into a pole, striking a sign on the curb, breaking a chain link fence, and ramming into a car that was parked.

Riley was pronounced dead at the Durham car accident site. Police say that Bass also faces charges over using fictitious tags, driving without insurance, and driving without a license.

North Carolina Pedestrian Accidents
Time and again, our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident lawyers speak with pedestrians who have gotten seriously hurt because a driver was careless, reckless, or negligent or because the motor vehicle involved had a defective auto part. We know how devastating it can be to have your life suddenly change in an instant.

It is important that you get medical help right away and that you document as much information as possible about the traffic accident. You should also contact a Charlotte-Mecklenburg County pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss your case.

Pedestrian accidents occur far too often. And while medical insurance can help cover some of the medical costs, if you or someone you love was seriously injured, you will likely have had to undergo costly medical procedures, lengthy rehabilitation, and taken time off from work (which can lead to lost wages).

Pedestrian killed; driver charged, News & Observer, February 20, 2010

Man charged with DWI after pedestrian killed, WRAL, February 19, 2010

Related Web Resources:
NCDOT: Division of Motor Vehicles

Pedestrian Accidents, Justia

Continue reading "Durham Pedestrian Accident Involving Allegedly Drunk Driver Claims Life of 48-Year-Old Woman" »

Yesterday, mourners gathered on north Tyron Street to grieve over Shalenia Smith, who sustained serious injuries in a Charlotte, North Carolina pedestrian accident on Friday night. She died on Sunday.

Karen Owens, Smith’s mother, says her daughter and friend were crossing the street after a visit to Walmart when a car driven by 28-year-old Christopher Breeding struck her. He claims that the North Carolina pedestrian accident victim ran in front of his vehicle and he was unable to stop. He also says it was difficult to see the women that night because they were wearing dark clothing.

Breeding was arrested and charged with DWI. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says that more charges may be filed against him.

Smith leaves behind her mother and three siblings.

North Carolina Pedestrian Deaths
Losing someone you care about in a North Carolina pedestrian accident or car crash is tragic. All of a sudden, your life is irrevocably changed while the life of the person you love has been cut short for one of the worst reasons—because someone was reckless or careless or negligent. Drunk driving, speeding, texting while driving, talking on the phone will driving, failure to obey traffic signals, and driving under the influence of drugs are some reasons why pedestrian accidents happen.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding a Charlotte, North Carolina motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, funeral or cremation services, lost wages, loss of future wages, loss of benefits, punitive damages, mental trauma, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of inheritance, and other damages.

Vigil honors woman, 20, killed by car, Charlotte Observer, January 19, 2010

Woman hit by DWI suspect dies from injuries, WBTV, January 19, 2010

Related Web Resources:
North Carolina Department of Transportation

Pedestrians, 2008 Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA (PDF)

Continue reading "20-Year-Old Charlotte, North Carolina Pedestrian Struck by Alleged Drunk Driver Dies from Her Injuries" »

On December 4, the Governor's Highway Safety Program presented the “Tree of Life,” which is dedicated to the people that were killed in North Carolina car accidents in 2008. The tree stands on the State Capitol lawn in Raleigh and is decorated with 1,453 lights. 440 of the lights are red to note the people that were killed by drunk drivers.

Friday also marked the beginning of North Carolina's “Booze It & Lose It” campaign, which runs until January 3, 2010 and targets drunk drivers. Throughout the US this holiday season, federal and local safety and enforcement officials will be participating in similar initiatives to prevent drunk driving accidents.

On Monday, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reminded drivers that there is nothing wrong with having fun as long as you don’t drive when you are drunk. While the national drunken driving rate dropped 7% between 2007 and 2008, too many people are still getting killed in drunk driving accidents.

Drunk driving accidents are preventable.

Nationwide, the drunk driving campaign "Over the Limit. Under Arrest” began yesterday and runs through the holiday season. Some $7 million in national radio and TV ads will air from December 16, 2009 – January 7, 2010 to remind people not to drive while impaired.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were:

• Out of the 1,231 North Carolina motor vehicle deaths in 2008, 423 of the North Carolina car accident victims died in collisions involving alcohol-impaired motorists.
• 1,676 North Carolina traffic deaths in 2007.
• 497 2007 North Carolina car accidents deaths involving drunk drivers.
• 403 South Carolina drunk driving fatalities in 2008.
• 920 2008 South Carolina car accident deaths.
• 403 South Carolina drunk driving fatalities in 2008.
• 464 South Carolina drunk driving fatalities in 2007.
• 1,077 2007 South Carolina car accident deaths.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Intensive Holiday Drunk & Impaired Driving Crackdown & Advertising Blitz, NHTSA, December 7, 2009

Drunken driving fatalities down 7% in USA, USA Today, December 7, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Fatalities and Fatality Rates in Alcohol- Impaired-Driving Crashes by State, 2007-2008, NHTSA (PDF)

Governor's Highway Safety Program

Continue reading "“Tree of Life” Remembers 1,453 North Carolina Car Accident Victims that Died in 2008 as State Troopers Get Ready for "Booze It & Lose It” Campaign" »

Hickory police have arrested two people in connection with the North Carolina hit-and-run car crash that killed Charlaine Taylor Sybrant and injured Joshua Keith Gajus on October 18. The North Carolina pedestrians were walking on the side of Highway 321 after their vehicle ran out of gas when they were hit by an auto that did not stay at the crash site.

Sybrant, a 22-year-old Appalachian State student, died at the Hickory car accident site. Gas, 24, injured his leg.

About an hour after the accident, Valdese police stopped a vehicle that was heavily damaged. Daniel Thomas Whisnant, 18, was arrested for driving while impaired, two counts of felony hit and run, felony serious injury by motor vehicle, and felony death by motor vehicle.

A few days after the Hickory drunk driving accident, police arrested Joey Lee Durham, 20, and charged him with one count of felony accessory after the fact. Police believe that Durham was riding in the car driven by Whisnant when he allegedly struck the two pedestrians. They are charging him for not telling police about the Hickory, North Carolina motor vehicle accident.

North Carolina Car Accidents
Even if the driver you believe caused the North Carolina car crash fled the traffic accident site, you should still contact a Hickory car crash lawyer to explore your legal options for recovery. Injuries from an auto accident can be more serious than they at first appear and you may need all the help you can get to cover medical and recovery costs if you want to recover.

Drunk driving, distracted driving, careless driving, driver error, and driver recklessness are among the most common causes of car crashes and negligent motorists can be held liable for personal injury or wrongful death.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,733 people died in drunk driving accidents in 2008. That’s 32% of all traffic deaths for the year—that’s nearly 12,000 people who might still be alive today if only certain motorists had not been driving drunk.

Student gets $37,500 after door crushed finger, OC Register, October 27, 2009

Hickory Officials Make Second Arrest in Sunday Morning Deadly Hit-and-Run, GoBlueRidgeNet, October 22, 2009

Alcohol-Impaired Driving, NHTSA 2008 Traffic Safety Facts (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
The Heavy Cost Of Drunk Driving, DrunkDriving.org

Motor Vehicle Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

According to statistical projections provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for January – June 2009, about 16,626 people died in US traffic crashes. This figure is a 7% decline compared to the first half of last year when there were 17,871 traffic deaths.

Meantime, the Federal Highway Administration is reporting that the number of vehicle miles traveled for this time period went down compared to last year by approximately 6.1 billion miles. The fatality rate for the first six months also went down from 1.23 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2008 to 1.15 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2009.

While any decline in the number of traffic deaths is always positive news, there are still many people who are dying or getting hurt in motor vehicle accidents.

At around 12:45 am on Monday, 22-year-old Claudia Gonzales sustained fatal injuries when driver Victor Manuel Pena lost control of the 1996 Mazda A3S they were riding. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say the car went off the road, struck a power pole and crosswalk signal, and rolled over a number of times.

Gonzales, who was partially thrown from the vehicle during the Charlotte car accident, was trapped under the vehicle. She was pronounced dead while at Carolinas Medical Center.

Pena, who was treated for his injuries at the same hospital, faces felony death by vehicle and driving while intoxicated charges. This would not be the 25-year-old motorist's first drunk driving offense.

In a few weeks, Pena is scheduled to be tried for DWI over an incident in Union County, North Carolina.

Last month, 18-year-old Logan Stroud died in a Kannapolis car accident when another vehicle struck his Chevy S10 pickup truck on the driver’s side. His truck rolled down an embankment close to the intersection of Kannapolis Parkway and Highway 73. Police are dealing with conflicting reports over who had the green light.

Throughout South Carolina and North Carolina, our Charlotte car accident lawyers represent injury victims and their families.

Police: Witness drove away from fatal wreck, WCNC, September 25, 2009

DWI suspect faces similar charge in Union, Charlotte Observer, October 6, 2009

Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the First Half of 2009, NHTSA, October 2009 (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
Federal Highway Administration

North Carolina Department of Transportation

A new survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that many people would like to stop anyone who is drunk from driving. 2 out of every 3 of the 1,004 people surveyed liked the idea of developing technology that would prevent drunk people from being able to start a vehicle.

Currently, there are ignition interlock devices installed in certain autos. Some people convicted of DWI have this device in their vehicles. The device is designed to prevent a convicted DWI offender whose blood alcohol content registers above a certain level from starting the auto’s engine.

Some 180,000 interlock devices are currently in operation. While they are effective at reducing the chances that a prior DWI offender will drive drunk again, not everyone who drives drunk has this device in their vehicles. According to the institute, more than 8,000 car accident victims might not have died last year if all vehicles had been equipped with interlock devices.

The Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety is currently considering new detection technologies. Support for such a device was high among survey takers—even among participants who drink at least four times a week.

Too many lives are lost because of drunk drivers. As our Raleigh car accident law firm reported, several days ago, Dr. Raymond Cook was driving at a speed of 85 mph when he fatally struck the vehicle driven by 20-year-old Ellen Shapiro, who was a ballerina. Cook is accused of driving drunk and he is charged with second-degree murder.

In Gaston County, North Carolina, Marcus Wakefield is also charged with second-degree murder over his fiancé's Gastonia car accident death. Wakefield lost control of his vehicle on Garrison Boulevard. The car then flipped over into the Catawba Creek. While the 31-year-old driver was able to get out of the auto, Johnetta McLean did not escape. Wakefield was initially charged with just DWI.

New survey results: stop anyone impaired by alcohol from driving any vehicle, public says, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, September 17, 2009

Gastonia Man Admits Impairment Led To Deadly Crash, WSOCTV.com, September 23, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Pubic is Ready to Lock Out Driving Over the Legal Limit, IIHS (PDF)

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Continue reading "Stop North Carolina Car Accidents By Preventing Anyone Who is Drunk From Driving" »

In Wake County, Dr. Raymond Cook has been charged with second-degree murder over the red light running Raleigh car crash that claimed the life of a 20-year-old ballet dancer on Friday night. Elena Bright Shapiro was pronounced dead at a local hospital following the North Carolina auto accident.

The deadly Wake County traffic collision occurred on Strickland Road close to Leadmine Road when police say Cook, who was allegedly driving at a speed of 85 mph in a 45 mph zone, struck the vehicle that Shapiro was driving.

Cook had initially been charged with DWI, death by motor vehicle, careless driving, reckless driving, and failure to reduce speed. Today, the plastic surgeon voluntarily gave up his medical license. He also has resigned from his positions at UNC School of Medicine and with WakeMed Facial Plastic Surgery. Cook has agreed to take part in a substance abuse treatment program for doctors.

Per court documents, Cook’s eyes were “bloodshot” and “glassy,” he was swaying, his speech was slurred, and he smelled of alcohol right after Friday's deadly Raleigh car accident.

This is not Cook’s first drunk driver-related offense. He pleaded no contest to driving under the influence of alcohol when he was charged in Georgia in 1989.

Meantime, Elena Bright Shapiro was buried in Winston-Salem today.

Our Raleigh car accident lawyers cannot stress enough how dangerous it is for a driver to run a red light. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 9,200 people died and about 1 million others were injured in auto accidents that occurred at intersections in 2005, while red light running was a factor in about 805 of those traffic deaths.

Red light running catches the other driver unaware and can result in serious auto crashes—especially if the motorist attempting to run the red light is speeding in order to avoid getting a ticket and/or trying get across the intersection as quickly as possible.

Red light running is negligent driving and can be grounds for a Raleigh car accident lawsuit.

Ballet dancer killed in high-speed crash, ABC Local, September 14, 2009

Doctor surrenders medical license, Charlotte Observer, September 15, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Red-Light Running, Federal Highway Administration

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

A 33-year-old Louisburg driver has been charged with felony death by vehicle, driving while impaired (DWI), two counts of serious injury by vehicle, resisting arrest, hit and run resulting in serious injury or death, and driving with a revoked license. Cory Lamar Henderson was trying to pass a vehicle driven by John Edward “Eddie” Ogburn on Saturday when he allegedly caused the fatal Raleigh car accident.

Henderson is accused of fleeing the Raleigh crash site on Old Wake Forest Road but was apprehended soon after. Police say that prior to the traffic accident, they saw Henderson driving recklessly. They say that they were going to pull him over only the accident happened before they could catch him.

Ogburn was transported to a North Carolina hospital where he was pronounced dead. The deadly accident took place just one block from his home. The two women riding in the vehicle with him, 29-year-old Raleigh resident Kristen Knutson and 27-year-old Southern Pines resident Jennifer Ragone, sustained injuries.

Prosecutors upgraded one of the charges to second-degree murder because they say that there is evidence of malice. Henderson has a prior DWI conviction in Wake County that occurred in 2004. Following Saturday’s North Carolina car accident, he fled from police and attempted to avoid getting arrested.

This Raleigh car crash took place during the NHTSA’s safety efforts with local enforcement to apprehend anyone driving under the influence. During the 15 years that the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program has participated in this campaign, local law enforcement officials have issued some 2,900,000 criminal and traffic citations. 103, 000 of these citations were for people who were driving while impaired.

Despite efforts by the federal and local governments, law enforcement officers, and safety advocates to stop drunken motorists from driving, too many North Carolina drunk driving crashes continue to happen. An experienced Raleigh car accident lawyer can help you determine whether you and your family have grounds for pursing a North Carolina personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death case.

1 dead, 3 hurt in wreck; DWI charged, The News & Observer, August 30, 2009

Man charged with murder in fatal Raleigh wreck, WRAL, September 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
2009 Labor Day Crackdown Activities, GHSA

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

A Charlotte hit-and-run accident right before 1am on Sunday claimed the life of a former North Carolina State University football player. Edrick Smith was riding in the back of a Honda Accord that was hit by a Camaro, which was speeding at about 80 - 100 mph. The deadly car crash happened at the intersection of Salome Church Road and North Tryon Street.

The driver of the Honda, 30-year-old Hakeem Ward Holloway, and 31-year-old Barry Tyrone Pace, who was also a passenger in the Accord, were hospitalized.

The impact of the North Carolina car accident split the Accord in two. The Camaro’s driver, Hugo Fernando Rosillo, fled the crash site on foot but police later found him. The 30-year-old motorist was taken to the hospital and arrested. He is charged with felony hit-and-run, second-degree murder, and driving while impaired.

Smith, 29, leaves behind his wife, Karisa, and their three children. The former NCSU football player set the record for tackles by a freshman in 1998. He was a possible NFL contender when he got hurt.

Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication is dangerous and places the lives of the impaired driver and others on the road at stake. On August 21, 2009, police officers in cities throughout North Carolina and other US States will begin their Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown in an effort to save lives as we wind our way toward the end of the summer holidays and Labor Day on September 7.

While 6,159 of the almost 13,000 people killed in drunk driving crashes 2007 were drivers between the ages 21 – 34 with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater, a new study shows that older adults are not exempt for binge drinking. Duke University researchers are reporting that out of 11,000 survey participants, 22% of the men and 9% of the women binge drink (consume 5 drinks or more). The findings from this new survey can be found in the latest issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry.

Former N.C. State football player killed in hit-and-run, Charlotte.com, August 17, 2009

Former NC State Football Player Edrick Smith Killed in Charlotte Car Crash, MyFox8, August 16, 2009

Survey Finds Binge Drinking Among Older People, Too, US News & World Report, August 17, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Drunk Driving. Over the LImit. Under Arrest, NHTSA

Binge Drinking, CDC

The American Journal of Psychiatry

Continue reading "Charlotte, North Carolina Car Accident Kills Former NCSU Football Player" »

The US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that even though the number of US highway deaths dropped last year, there is still a lot of work that must be done to keep our motorists safe. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration figures show a 9.7% drop in US traffic deaths from 41,259 fatalities in 2007 to 37,261 deaths in 2008—the lowest death count since 1961.

Between 2007 and 2008, there were significant declines in drunk driving deaths (13,041 to 11,773), light truck deaths (12,458 to 10,764), passenger occupant deaths (29,072 to 25,351), large truck fatalities (805 to 677), and pedestrian deaths (4,699 to 4,378). The number of motorcycle rider deaths, however, went up from 5,174 to 5,290—as did pedalcyclist fatalities, from 701 to 716.

Also last year, 2,346,000 people were injured in US traffic accidents—a drop from the 2.49 million traffic injuries in 2007. While the number of motorcycle rider fatalities increased, the number of motorcycle riders that were injured went down significantly from 103,000 motorcycle deaths in 2007 to 96 deaths to motorcycle fatalities in 2008.

There was also a decline in the number of North Carolina traffic deaths, with 1,433 fatalities last year compared to 1,676 traffic deaths in 2008.

More North Carolina 2008 Traffic Figures:
• 1,033 passenger vehicle occupant deaths (down from 1,237 in 2007)
• 423 drunk driving deaths (down from 497 in 2007)
• 475 speeding-related deaths (a decline from the 622 fatalities in 2008)
• 160 pedestrian deaths

Also on a positive note, there were less fatalities from January – March 2009 than there were for the same time period last year. The NHTSA says 7,689 people were killed in US traffic crashes for the first quarter of this year, compared to the 8,451 deaths during January – March 2008.

While the overall decline in US traffic deaths is very positive, there are still thousands of people that are injured and killed because a motorist was driving drunk, speeding, talking on a cell phone, text messaging, or impaired by medication or because a vehicle was defective or another party was negligent.

Related Web Resources:
2008 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment - Highlights, June 2009 (PDF)

Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the First Quarter (January - March) of 2009 (PDF)

State Traffic Safety Information For Year 2008, NHTSA

Continue reading "Hickory Car Accident Lawyers: North Carolina Traffic Deaths Drop to 1,433 Fatalities in 2008 " »

Police in North Carolina will be spend June 29 through July 5 targeting drunk drivers. The Booze It and Lose It: Operation Firecracker campaign is an effort to decrease the number of driving accidents that occur around the 4th of July holiday.

Last year, there were 377 North Carolina drunk driving-related collisions for that week. 12 people died. As part of their efforts, police will increase patrols and set up checkpoints.

In Alexander and Iredell counties, there was a 20% increase in drunk driving accidents over a one-year period. Troopers increased their efforts to catch drunken drivers, and in just one week, 31 people were arrested for impaired driving.

Drunk Driving Facts
Although (according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving) there was a decrease in the number of North Carolina alcohol-related deaths—from 489 to 392—between 2007 and 2008, drunken driving accidents still happen in the state on a regular basis. Statesville Police Officer Adam Dillard tells the Mooresville Tribune, “impaired driving is not an accident,” and it is a crime that is not “victimless.”

Just this Monday, two members of the band Dr. Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys were hurt in a hit and run North Carolina car accident when a drunk driver that was speeding rear-ended the vehicle they were riding in. Their SUV ended up going down a three-story embankment into a creek while the other driver took off.

Fiddler Dewey Brown sustained minor injuries, but his pregnant wife Leslie and Dr. Ralph Stanley’s 16-year-old grandson Nathan, a mandolin player, sustained more serious injuries. Both of Nathan’s legs are broken and Leslie sustained shoulder injuries and broke her femur.

The driver accused of hit and run is 25-year-old Alejandro Perez Sosa. He was apprehended and charged with felony hit and run, reckless driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. At the time of his arrest, Perez’s blood alcohol content was 0.14. The legal BAC limit is .08%.

On June 18 in Durham, it was a North Carolina Highway Patrol Officer who was charged with drunk driving after he hit another car. Trooper John C. Fogg was off duty when police say he crashed a vehicle into another car on the Durham Freeway. His BAC was reportedly .17%.

NC Highway Patrol Officer Arrested For Drunk Driving, Raleigh Telegram, June 27, 2009

Patrols to target drunk drivers during holiday week, Mooresville Tribune, June 26, 2009

Members Of Ralph Stanley’s Band Rear-Ended By Drunk Driver In N.C., TriCities.com, June 24, 2009

Related Web Resources:
North Carolina State Highway Patrol, North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Dr. Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys

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Every year, our North Carolina injury law firm awards $25,000 in college scholarships to graduating high school seniors scholarships under the Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program. This year, 10 students received $2,500 each for their winning essays about ways to prevent underage drinking and driving.

Attorney Michael DeMayo presented the winning students with their scholarship checks at a May 28 dinner at Mama Ricotta’s in Charlotte. This year's winners included Michelle Austin from Hopewell High School in Mecklenburg, Elizabeth Henry from Provide Day School in Mecklenburg, Annalise Farris from North Lincoln High School in Lincoln, India Prather from Monroe High School in Union, Lauren Houston from South Caldwell High School in Caldwell, Kaley Rivera from South Point High School in Gaston, Kaitlin Price from Gray Stone Day School in Stanly, Jennifer Telschow from E. E. Waddell High School in Mecklenburg, Erin Sturgess from Hickory Christian Academy in Catawba, and Jaclyn Wright from Marvin Ridge High School in Union.

Underage Drinking Facts (NHTSA):
• Thousands of teenagers are injured or killed in US traffic accidents because of underage drinking.
• In 2006, 1,377 of the 7,543 15- to 20-year old US drivers and motorcyclists that were involved in deadly auto crashes had a BAC of .08%.
• It is illegal for people under age 21 to drink alcohol.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 16- to 19-years-olds belong to one of the more high risk groups that are likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash. Combine youth, inexperience, and/or a tendency to become easily distracted with the side effects that come from drinking alcohol and you could end up with a deadly combination if a drunk teenager gets behind the steering wheel of a car.

Our North Carolina personal injury law firm applauds our winners’ ideas about how to prevent teen driving accidents from happening. Our Charlotte car accident attorneys witness on a regular basis the tragic repercussions that can result from drunk driving. We know that nothing can assuage the loss felt by our clients that have lost children in tragic motor vehicle crashes. Our scholarship program gives us a way to help teenagers make better decisions, hopefully decreasing the number of North Carolina teen drunk driving accidents.

Related Web Resources:
Teen Drivers - Youth Access To Alcohol

Teen Drivers, CDC

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