08/06/04 — Woman killed, three others injured in 3-vehicle wreck

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Woman killed, three others injured in 3-vehicle wreck

By Jack Stephens
Published in News on August 6, 2004 1:58 PM

A woman driver was killed Thursday night in a three-vehicle collision on N.C. 55, just east of Dobbersville Road, the Highway Patrol said.

The victim was identified as Pricilla Ann Maultsby, 41, of 320 Gordon St., Mount Olive.

Ms. Maultsby's passenger and the other two drivers also were injured. They were taken by ambulance to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The passenger, Jeffery McKethan, 44, of Gordon Street, and the driver of a rental tractor-trailer, Gregory A. Howell, 44, of North Wilkesboro, were released after emergency-room treatment, a spokeswoman said.

The driver of the car, Ina Loftin Harper, 73, of Horace Street, LaGrange, was listed today in stable condition, the spokeswoman said.

State Trooper J.F. Davis had not completed an investigation of the 9:30 p.m. collision at mid-morning. It appeared that one driver was passing another vehicle and collided almost head-on with the tractor-trailer and the big rig then collided with the other vehicle.

No charges have been filed.

Ms. Maultsby was driving McKethan's 1994 Nissan sport utility vehicle that was demolished. It was valued at $5,200. Ms. Harper's 1998 Volkswagen, valued at $6,200, also was totaled.

No damage estimate had been made for the 2004 Freightliner tractor-trailer, registered to Penske Truck and Leasing Corp.

The fatality was the 17th this year on Wayne County roads, including three deaths in Goldsboro.

Wayne County EMS stations #3 and #9, Sampson County rescue and fire departments for Jordan's Chapel, Smith's Chapel, Grantham and Piney Grove responded.