Vehicle crash results in power loss at mall
By Melody Brown-Peyton
Published in News on July 13, 2018 5:50 AM
News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Goldsboro police and firefighters responded to a wreck at the intersection of Mall Road and Eastgate Drive Thursday afternoon. There were no injuries, but power was temporarily off at several businesses in the area.
A two-vehicle wreck near Berkeley Mall knocked out an electric transformer and led to several stores losing power Thursday afternoon.
Just before noon, the accident took place at the south end of the mall entrance.
Goldsboro police cited Rhonda Elmore, of 107 E. Main St., Eureka, with failure to reduce speed and failure to stop at a stop sign at the south end of the mall, near the JC Penney store, said GPD Maj. Dwayne Dean.
Elmore, who was driving a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, was struck by a 2006 Toyota driven by Janice Kornegay, of 320 Scotts Road in Mount Olive. The crash resulted in the Jeep slamming into an electrical transformer, resulting in the loss of electricity in the area. No injuries were reported in the crash.
The power outage happened during the lunch rush when many people were visiting the mall during their lunch breaks.
Fannie Hunnings and Betty Jones drove in from Kinston and were disappointed that their shopping experience had to be cut short.
"We were hoping to do some shopping at Belk's, but now we can't because they are without power," Hunnings said.
Many other shoppers gathered in the center of the mall hoping to continue shopping.
Stores and restaurants located at the south end of the mall were affected by the power outage.
The K&W Cafeteria was forced to close in the middle of the lunch hour, just after noon.
Ann Davis, who works at the restaurant, said that power was restored at 3:35 p.m. The restaurant reopened at 4:30 p.m.
Shortly after the loss of power, K&W Cafeteria General Manager Mike Davis said he was told the power would be out for two hours.
A representative from Duke Progress Energy was not available to confirm details regarding the power loss and its extent in the area near the mall.