Collision results in death of man
By John Joyce
Published in News on March 17, 2016 1:46 PM
Full Size
News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
First responders walk around the van that was involved in a wreck with a motorcycle at the intersection of Bill Lane Boulevard and Spring Bank Road Wednesday. The motorcyclist was killed, and the driver of the van was taken to the hospital.
A Goldsboro man is dead and another will remain in the hospital for several days with lacerations and fractures after a head-on collision Wednesday.
The wreck took place at 11:45 a.m. near the intersection of Spring Bank Road and Bill Lane Boulevard. The highway -- that stretch of Bill Lane Boulevard becomes N.C. Highway 581 -- remained shut down until 2 p.m.
Jason Allen, 30, died when his motorcycle crossed the center line and struck an oncoming Toyota minivan, according to the N.C. State Highway Patrol wreck investigation.
The driver of the Toyota, George Moore, 80, suffered cuts to his arms and a broken right ankle or foot, First Sgt. Jerry Burton said.
"(Allen) was traveling at a high rate of speed, passing numerous cars," Burton said.
Other motorists reported the motorcycle was weaving in and out of traffic when he came around one car and met the Toyota head-on.
As part of its investigation, the highway patrol was able to estimate Allen's top speed.
"Approximately 120 miles per hour," Burton said.
Allen went through the windshield of the minivan and was killed; his Suzuki motorcycle obliterated. The Toyota went off the road to the left, coming to rest down a slight embankment.
Burton said Moore was pinned in and had to be extricated from the driver's seat. He was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital.
It took a bit longer to recover Allen from inside the vehicle.
Burton said motorcycle riders run a greater inherent risk than other motorists who take to the roadways. It is imperative, then, that they stay within the law.
"Since they are so exposed to the elements, it is crucial that they abide by the laws of the road," he said.
Burton thanked the first responders -- law enforcement, EMS and fire-rescue -- for their efforts.