Speeding and Car Accident Attorneys
Speeding: Cause of Car Accident
The driver of a car involved in a fatal New Year's Eve crash that killed his three children was driving nearly twice the posted speed limit, authorities said Friday.
Jerry Reel Jr. was traveling an estimated 75 mph in a 40-mph zone on Hankins Road, said Trooper Gene Williamson of the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Reel remained in critical condition late Friday at Mission Hospital.
Reel's sons, Jordan Reel, 14, of Old Fort, and Timberland Reel, 5, and Gavin Reel, 3, both of Nebo, were killed in Thursday's accident.
The wreck happened about 3 p.m. after Reel's Chevrolet Lumina ran off Hankins Road and hit a tree, about two miles north of Marion.
Williamson said he didn't know if the wreck happened on a straight stretch of road or on a curve.
“He just lost control, ran off the road and hit a tree,” he said, adding he had no idea why Reel might have been speeding.
“He's probably the only one who could answer that.”
Gavin and Timberland were both properly restrained in child seats, and Reel was wearing a seatbelt, Williamson said.
“Initially it was thought that the 14-year-old did not have his (seatbelt) on, but they were still looking into that to make sure,” Williamson said.
Williamson said investigators are still waiting to talk to the district attorney about possible charges.
“Everything is still pending,” he said. “I would imagine some (crash) reconstructionists will be called in to work on this a little bit, probably the first of the week.”
