12/18/08 — Man struck and killed by pickup

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Man struck and killed by pickup

By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on December 18, 2008 1:46 PM

A Goldsboro man was hit by a pickup truck and killed Tuesday night after his car broke down on U.S. 13 near Sandhill Drive, the Highway Patrol reported.

Eugene Earl Turner, 48, Brock Road, had parked his vehicle at an angle on the road and was trying to push it out of the way around 8:24 p.m. when the accident happened, 1st Sgt. Jerry Burton said.

Michael Gurley, 22, of Nancy Drive in Dudley, was driving the pickup truck that struck Turner and his vehicle, Burton said.

The first sergeant said he did not expect charges to be filed against Gurley.

"Well, at the moment we're going to consult with the district attorney, but more than likely, no charges will come out of it," Burton said Wednesday.

Gurley was wearing his seat belt and was not injured in the accident, according to the report filed by trooper M.G. Conley.

The first sergeant said the death was an unfortunate accident, but he reminded motorists that dark roadways are not safe for pedestrians.

Burton said he was not entirely sure what was wrong with the victim's vehicle. But he said a pedestrian should never stand in the roadway.

"If something's wrong with your vehicle, you need to exit the vehicle, and move over to the shoulder, away from the vehicle," Burton said.

After a person is safely out of the roadway, he or she should use a cell phone to dial 911 or wait for help or other authorities to arrive, the first sergeant said.