3 dead in crash

Semi T-bones compact car in Newton

Credit: Robert C. Reed | Hickory Daily Record

Newton Fire Department, Newton-Conover Rescue and the N.C. Highway Patrol respond to a multiple fatality at the intersection of N.C. 16 and N.C. 10 on Wednesday.

By: Richard Gould | Hickory Daily Record
Published: November 12, 2009

NEWTON --

A collision between a tractor trailer and a compact car at the intersection of N.C. 10 and N.C. 16 claimed three lives Wednesday.

Five people were traveling in a Suzuki Aero when it ran the red light on N.C. 10 eastbound and was crushed by an oncoming semi headed south on N.C. 16 about 11:45 a.m., said the investigating officer, Trooper S.R. Lineberger.

The impact killed driver Joyce White, 56, and passengers Ruby Leatherman, 66, and Cody Storey, 11, Lineberger said.

Isaiah Trivette, 10, and Tyler Trivette, 12, were transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center, where they were listed in critical condition at press time.

Paul Brown, 63, of Gastonia, was at the wheel of the Hagan Kennington Oil Co. truck. He was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center.

The jackknifed truck, which was transporting 55-gallon drums of oil, rested atop N.C. 16's concrete median just south of the N.C. 10 intersection.

More than 15 emergency vehicles with lights responded to the scene. A cold, steady rain fell as state troopers worked amid the wreckage and groceries strewn across the road as they took the measurements necessary to reconstruct the accident.

It was unclear if the weather contributed to the accident, Lineberger said.

The traffic signals at the intersection were flashing yellow for vehicles on N.C. 16 and red for those on N.C. 10 as emergency crews worked to clear the scene.

Lineberger said a power outage in the area Wednesday morning had caused the signals to reset and flash. He said the signals were flashing at the time of the accident.

Tomatoes, cans of biscuits, sliced cheese and other groceries surrounded the red Suzuki Aero behind the blue tarp erected to shield the victims from onlookers.

The preliminary investigation suggests that the occupants of the Suzuki were returning home after a shopping trip to Honey's IGA supermarket in Newton.

Ken Carpenter of the Newton Fire Department said the accident and the deaths had been hard on his fellow firefighters.

"Any time there are children involved, it makes it a lot more serious," he said. "It makes you want to call home."

N.C. 16 was closed and traffic was rerouted from about 11:45 a.m. until about 3:30 p.m.