More details released on deadly I-795 crash
By John Joyce
Published in News on September 17, 2012 1:46 PM
More details have been released in the fatal accident that occurred on I-795 early Saturday morning.
According to the State Highway Patrol, the driver of the Ford Explorer, Shakia Vonte McCoy, 21, of Wilson, was killed after 3 a.m. when the rear tire came apart and she lost control of her vehicle.
"The vehicle, traveling north, went off the roadway and up an embankment into some trees," said Sgt. Chris Owens of the Highway Patrol.
Four passengers were injured in the accident, including 21-year-olds Yvonne Farmer and Brittany Thompson, of Rocky Mount and Wilson, respectively. Both had what Sgt. Ownes called evident injuries.
Ashley Ray, 19, and Shaquina Barnes, 18, both of Wilson, had what Owens referred to as possible injuries, which he said meant simply that there were no visible wounds. All four women were transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital and treated.
Owens confirmed that alcohol was a factor in the accident that killed Ms. McCoy, but that the root cause of the crash was the blown tire.