Jogger dies after being hit by car
By John Joyce
Published in News on March 16, 2015 1:46 PM
A Pikeville man died Sunday after he ran into oncoming traffic while jogging, the N.C. State Highway Patrol said.
Cody Watkins, 21, of Benifold Drive was jogging with his girlfriend on Old Kenly Road near Nahunta Road when he turned into the path of an oncoming car.
The accident happened at 10:46 a.m., First Sgt. Jerry Burton said.
"He was running northbound. The car was heading northbound. Watkins failed to look before crossing and he ran into the pathway of the vehicle," Burton said.
Watkins was killed by the impact.
Burton said that Watkins was running with traffic, rather than against it, and wearing earbuds.
Burton said the safe practice when walking or running is to go against traffic.
"Walk or run so you can see what's coming," he said.
The driver of the Chevrolet Tahoe that struck Watkins, Renatta Graham of Goldsboro, will not be charged, Burton said.
"There are no charges and we don't anticipate (Graham) being charged," he said.