Trenton, NC Car Accident Lawyer
Trenton, NC Car Accident
TRENTON — A 17-year-old New Bern girl was killed Saturday afternoon after being thrown from a four-door pickup truck speeding on a curvy road about a mile north of here.
Taylor Elks, 17, died in the single-vehicle accident on Greenwood Road. At least one other teen-age passenger was seriously injured, and two other passengers plus the driver were transported for medical attention, said Trooper J.J. Zamora, who investigated the crash for the State Highway Patrol.
“The girl was in the back middle seat and was the only person not wearing a restraint device,” Zamora said. She was ejected and declared dead on the scene, which happened about 4:15 p.m. The road is a popular cut-through between N.C. 41 and N.C. 58.
“We had a vehicle speeding and passing in a no passing zone,” Zamora said. “Speeds were in excess of 100 mph when the vehicle ran off the road to the left.”
Zamora said the driver overcorrected and the 2004 Ford pickup overturned, throwing Elks to her death.
The trooper said alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the crash. Charges are anticipated against driver William Earl Small Sr., 56, of Trenton, once the investigation is complete.
Small was taken by EastCare to Pitt County Memorial Hospital for treatment.
William Earl Small Jr., 18, the driver’s son and also of Trenton, was hurt and another girl on the right passenger side, Aariel Spivey, 18, of Trenton, sustained a broken back, Zamora said.
The fifth occupant of the truck, Mario Majette, 18, of Trenton, was transported by Jones County Emergency Medical Services to CarolinaEast Medical Center along with Small Jr. and Spivey, he said.
Zamora said he is investigating what caused the driver to go more than 100 mph in a 55 mph zone.
“There will be charges,” Zamora said. “We just don’t know the number and nature until the investigation is complete and we talk with the district attorney.”
He said he there were witnesses and he would be going door-to-door in the area gathering any information they can provide.
