Kenansville man killed in crash
By Gary Popp
Published in News on May 21, 2012 1:46 PM
A Kenansville man was killed Sunday morning after striking a ditch at a high rate of speed on his motorcycle.
Jeffrey Wellington, 39, of Kirby Quinn Road, was traveling on that road at about 6 a.m. and failed to stop at the intersection of East Wards Bridge Road.
State Highway Patrol Trooper D.W. Morgan said it appears the motorcycle's brakes locked, as 52 feet of tire impressions were left on the road before Wellington struck the ditch.
Wellington was pronounced dead at the scene.
Morgan said investigators are assuming Wellington was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, but his helmet was found by emergency responders about 20 feet from his body.
Troopers are estimating Wellington's original traveling speed at 65 mph in the 55 mph zone.
Morgan said Wellington's speed at impact is estimated at 50 mph.
"He blew through the stop sign more or less," Morgan said.
The contributing factors leading to the crash have been listed as disregard to stop at a stop sign and exceeding safe speed for the conditions, Morgan said.
The investigating officer is Trooper J.R. Benton.