Details on fatal crash released by state patrol
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on January 9, 2008 2:14 PM
A Highway Patrol sergeant released today the details of a Monday afternoon crash that killed a LaGrange woman.
Starr Ann Burnette, 48, LaGrange Road, was killed when she reportedly failed to stop for a red light while headed north on U.S. 117 in front of the Down East Travel Center, Sgt. K.W. Cooke said.
Investigating Trooper J.M. Holloman reported that Ms. Burnette's 2004 Pontiac hit an 2005 International Tractor Trailer driven by David Edward Hope, 48, of Vail Road, Pikeville.
"Ms. Burnette failed to stop for a red light, hit (the tractor trailer) on the right front fender," the sergeant said. "This caused her to skid out of control and overturn in the median several times."
Ms. Burnette was wearing a seat belt and was not ejected in the crash at about 3 p.m., the sergeant said.
Holloman reported that Ms. Burnette was not speeding, traveling at about 55 mph, which is the posted speed limit, the sergeant said.
Ms. Burnette was first taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital by emergency medical workers, and then was airlifted to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, Cooke said.
A Pitt Memorial Hospital spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday that Ms. Burnette had died from her injuries.
No charges will be filed because the Highway Patrol believes fault in the crash would be assigned to Ms. Burnette, the sergeant said.
A funeral procession was in process on U.S. 117, so a number of people saw the crash, the sergeant said.
"They had good witnesses," Cooke said.