NCHP still determining cause of crash
By Gary Popp
Published in News on October 12, 2010 1:46 PM
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Ashley Haskins
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Jacob Floars
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News-Argus/BOBBY WILLIAMS
A makeshift memorial stands at the site where three people died in a single-car accident early Sunday morning. Driver Mark Pope is still listed in serious condition at Pitt Memorial Hospital this morning.
Charges are expected to be filed against the driver of the car involved in a single-car accident that killed three young people, state Highway Patrol Sgt. M.G. Conley said early today.
The driver, Mark Aaron Pope, 17, remains in serious condition in Pitt Memorial Hospital, a patient care coordinator at the hospital said early this morning.
Conley said blood samples were taken from Pope and submitted to a state toxicology lab. It can take up to a month for the results to be returned, he said.
"Once results are returned, we will find the appropriate charges," Conley said.
The state Highway Patrol is working in concert with the Alcohol Law Enforcement in the investigation. Conley said ALE gets involved when there is indication that alcohol is involved.
Beer cans were found in the car, Conley said.
The accident happened early Sunday on N.C. 222 just east of Fremont. The driver apparently lost control of the car as it rounded a curve, overcorrected and the vehicle struck a ditch before overturning several times.
A Facebook page, created on the day of accident, memorialized those who died -- Josh Brantley, Ashley Haskins and Jacob Floars, all from Fremont. Floars was a student at Charles B. Aycock High School. Pope was a former student at the high school, as was Ms. Haskins, who graduated in May.
The online memorial reveals an outpouring of grief from friends. The page includes photographs of those involved in the accident, along with comments expressing both feelings of loss and of support for the families of all four young people.
"Another angel taken from this earth! You will surely be missed by everyone! RIP Jacob :'-("
"Ashley and her family are in my prayers! So many los(s)es each year of young kids gettin killed is crazy! Love ya Ashley. U are missed alot!"
"Aaron and his family are in my prayers. Hope he gets better soon."
At Aycock this morning, students, faculty and staff observed a moment of silence in memory of those killed.
Ken Derksen, a spokes-man for the Wayne County Schools, said that a fund has been set up. The money will be distributed to the family of Jacob Floars, the only student who was enrolled at C.B. Aycock at the time of the accident.