Man, 24, killed in accident Sunday
By Lee Williams
Published in News on August 20, 2007 1:45 PM
DUDLEY -- The brother of a Goldsboro police officer was killed Sunday in a motorcycle accident not far from the Wayne County Fairgrounds on U.S. 117 South Bypass and U.S. 13 South.
Nick Melvin, 24, of Dudley, was traveling south on U.S. 13 when his bike collided with a 2002 Suzuki SUV driven by Joshua Chrisman, 17, of Mount Olive.
Melvin had just made a right turn onto U.S. 13 South from U.S. 117 South Bypass, Wayne County Highway Patrol Trooper J.B. Wiggs said. Chrisman was in the U.S. 13 northbound turn lane attempting to turn into the BP gas station at the time of the crash, which occurred at 1:34 p.m.
Melvin "laid his bike down," which is customarily done by some motorcycle drivers to avoid a collision and severe injury or death. However, Melvin was ultimately struck and killed in the collision.
"No one has been charged or shown at fault at this time," Wiggs said. "We still have a lot of questions, and the accident is still under investigation."
Details on whether Melvin lost control of his motorcycle or who was at fault were still undetermined at presstime.
However, Highway Patrol Commander 1st Sgt. Dwayne Banks said Melvin was not struck from behind.
Melvin, who is the brother of Goldsboro police Officer Christopher Melvin, was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Wiggs said Chrisman also was wearing a seat belt.
Units of the Mar Mac Fire Rescue, Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Wayne County EMS and the Highway Patrol responded to the scene.
The incident roused Haywood Outlaw and his wife from their U.S. 13 South home, which was just a few feet from the accident site. Outlaw said accidents aren't that common at the intersection given the high volume of vehicles that travel through there every day.