Ayden woman killed in head-on crash
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on April 22, 2004 2:09 PM
A 54-year-old woman from Ayden was killed Wednesday in a head-on collision on U.S. 13, about two miles north of Goldsboro, the Highway Patrol said.
The victim was identified as Kay Laughinghouse Scott, a passenger in her husband's southbound car.
The northbound driver, 19-year-old John Waylon Pendergraft of Hines Drive, was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and driving left of center.
Pendergraft and Billy Russell Scott, 69, of Ayden were rushed by ambulance to Wayne Memorial Hospital. Pendergraft was admitted, and his condition was not immediately available. Scott was transferred to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, where he was listed today in fair condition, a spokeswoman said.
Pendergraft had crossed the center line and the white Cadillac that he was driving collided with the Scotts' blue Buick at Brantwood Drive. Both cars were demolished.
The collision remained under investigation by State Trooper J.F. Davis.
According to court records, Pendergraft also had been convicted twice since November of misdemeanor marijuana possession. He has pending weapons and assault charges.
The highway death was the 10th this year in Wayne County, including two in Goldsboro.