Two killed in moped accident
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on October 8, 2015 1:46 PM
A moped driver and passenger struck from behind on U.S. 264 near mile marker 58 in Greene County died Wednesday, according to a N.C. State Highway Patrol press release.
The wreck happened at approximately 7:30 a.m.
N.C. State Highway Patrol public information officer Lt. Jeff Gordon said alcohol was not suspected to be a factor in the accident, and that the crash remains under investigation as to whether speed played any role.
The driver of the moped, Matthew Randall, 27, as well as the passenger, Larry Davis Jr., 31, both of Wilson, were taken to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, where they later died.
According to the press release, the driver of a 2013 Jeep Patriot, Caroline Leigh Graham, 23, of Greenville, ran into the moped from behind, ejecting both the driver and the passenger. The Jeep Patriot struck the driver.
A third vehicle, a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Allison Edward Higgins, 49, of Wilson, was following behind the Patriot and struck the passenger.
A meeting between accident investigators and the District Attorney's Office in Greene County will determine whether or not to pursue charges in the case. Mopeds are not permitted on limited access highways.
"Mopeds are not allowed on that highway because it is a closed access highway," Gordon said. "That basically means, like on I-95, you don't have any private driveways like you would on a secondary road or even some of the state highways," he said.
Gordon said the moped was not registered. As of Sept. 1, 2015, all mopeds in North Carolina are supposed to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles -- which is intended to help law enforcement officers be able to more quickly identify what type of moped they are coming across and what laws apply to that vehicle and driver.
According to the patrol, Wednesday's accident led to several other wrecks on the highway.