A wrong-way accident has claimed two lives in Nash County, North Carolina, the Virginian-Pilot reports. A driver heading the wrong way on U.S. 64 crashed into an oncoming vehicle. The driver and a 17-year-old girl in the other car were killed. The accident happened at around 2 am on July 5, 2011. Two other 17-year-olds were injured, as well.
It’s not clear why the driver chose to travel west on the eastbound side of the highway. Wrong-way accidents often occur when the driver is distracted, sleepy, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Perhaps the late hour in which this crash occurred had something to do with the accident.
Wrong-way accidents aren’t extremely common, but when they do occur, they are frequently deadly. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, wrong-way drivers account for approximately 3 percent of accidents each year. Statistics also show that wrong-way drivers are more likely to have previous traffic violations and felony convictions on their records.
This is such a tragedy for all victims involved, and our thoughts are with them and their families. The emotions they’re experiencing must range from grief to anger. Such a young life could have been spared had the driver paid more attention to their driving. Though we may not know exactly what led this driver to drive the wrong way, it’s undoubtedly a tragic mistake.
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About the Editors: The Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm, which has offices in Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC), edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as pro bono services.
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