3 fatalities reported in Duplin over the weekend
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on February 6, 2006 1:52 PM
Weekend accidents claimed the lives of three Duplin County residents.
Two people were killed in single-car accidents Sunday, and a pedestrian was killed late Saturday when he stepped into the path of a vehicle.
Santos Morales, 21, of Wells Trailer Park in Wallace, died from injuries sustained when his 2002 Toyota ran off a highway near Rose Hill about 5 a.m. Sunday.
Investigators with the state Highway Patrol said Morales' car crossed the center line and ran off the left side of the road and hit a ditch. He was ejected from the vehicle. Troopers estimated his speed at 60 miles per hour and said an autopsy would be conducted to determine whether alcohol could have been a factor in the accident.
Morales was alone at the time of the crash.
Sierra Marie Hernandez, 19, of N.C. 903 in Albertson was killed about 1:35 a.m. Sunday on State Road 1306 near Albertson. Highway Patrol troopers said she was driving a 1998 Ford when she apparently lost control in a curve, ran off the roadway and struck a ditch. She was ejected from the vehicle.
Ms. Hernandez also was alone at the time. An autopsy is being conducted to determine if alcohol was a factor.
Manfred Savage, 45, of Warsaw was killed Saturday about 6:45 p.m. when he stepped into the path of a vehicle near the intersection of N.C. 903 and State Road 1909 near Magnolia.
Troopers said the vehicle was being driven by Jordan Pope of Magnolia. No charges were filed in the accident.