Man killed at Busco Beach identified
By Steve Herring
Published in News on August 5, 2017 8:10 PM
A 30-year-old Bailey man is dead and two women, including his wife, injured following an early Saturday morning crash at Busco Beach, 1243 Bryan Blvd., involving a four-wheeler.
James Ray Cornett, who died at the scene, was as operating a "side by side" utility vehicle at Busco Beach. His wife, Tesa Marie Cornett, 29, and their friend, Aleisha Dawn Krause, 30, were also in the vehicle.
It appears that the vehicle was traveling up a berm surrounding a small pit, Wayne County Sheriff's Office Major Richard Lewis said.
The vehicle topped the berm where it began to roll over.
All three victims were outside of the utility vehicle when first responders arrived.
No one else was riding with the trio, Lewis said.
Lewis said it is his understanding that the women began to scream for help and were overheard by others in the area.
The Wayne County 911 center received the accident call around 12:10 a.m. this morning from a caller who said Cornett was unresponsive and CPR was being started by citizens.
It was also reported that the two women were injured.
Mar-Mac first responders, as well as Mar-Mac firefighters and Wayne EMS were dispatch to the crash scene.
When the first responders and EMS arrived Cornett, later determined to be the driver, was declared dead at the scene and the two women were taken to Wayne UNC Health Care where, according to the press release both were admitted.
A call to the hospital verified that Krause was admitted and, as of Saturday afternoon, was listed in stable condition.
Hospital officials said there was no record of Cornett being admitted.
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office was notified of the crash.
A crime scene detective responded to process the scene.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol was also contacted and responded.
That is because the crash involved a fatality.
Since the accident happened on private property, the Sheriff's Office and Highway Patrol are working together to investigate the case, Lewis said.