Dead cyclist, at least a dozen injured as impaired driver crashes into cyclists in North Carolina, officials say
Collision in Wake County
Just after 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, a black Infiniti traveling west crossed the center line and hit cyclists riding east, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The crash happened in Wake County.
The driver left the scene and traveled about half a mile before the car went into a roadside ditch, the patrol said. More than 40 cyclists were in the group.
Driver arrested on charges
Officials identified the suspected driver as Donald Robert Morris-Jones, 76, of Apex, North Carolina. He was arrested on multiple charges. Those charges include felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle, felony hit-and-run involving serious injury or death, reckless driving and driving while impaired, officials said.
Regular weekend cycling group
People at the scene told Smith the cyclists belonged to a group that regularly met for weekend rides. Wake County is about 14 miles southwest of Raleigh.
Key points
- Patrick Allen Turner, 63, of Cary, was killed in the crash.
- More than 40 cyclists were struck in Wake County on Saturday morning.
- The fire chief reported 22 injured; the Highway Patrol estimated about a dozen.
- Donald Robert Morris-Jones, 76, was arrested on multiple charges, including driving while impaired.