We Are Improving!

We hope that you'll find our new look appealing and the site easier to navigate than before. Please pardon any 404's that you may see, we're trying to tidy those up!  Should you find yourself on a 404 page please use the search feature in the navigation bar.  

User Rating: 5 / 5

Star ActiveStar ActiveStar ActiveStar ActiveStar Active
 

Separate crashes claimed the lives of two people this morning, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Interstate 95 crash

Trooper J.T. Keeter said Sandy Griffin, a 59-year-old man who maintains residences in Brooklyn, New York, and Rocky Point in North Carolina, died after he swerved to miss a disabled vehicle which was in the southbound lane of the interstate at the 176 mile marker in the Gaston area shortly before 1 a.m..

The man driving the vehicle which was in the roadway had crashed when his 2016 Honda Civic ran off the roadway to the left and struck a guardrail. While the Civic sustained heavy front end damage, the driver, Nicholas Saadipour, 34, of Montgomery County, Maryland, was able to get the vehicle back on the roadway.

Keeter said it appeared Griffin did not see the dark blue Honda until the last minute.

When Griffin swerved to miss the Honda he ran off the road to the right in a 2001 Ford Explorer and overturned. Griffin, who was wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three other passengers in the vehicle with Griffin escaped serious injury.

Keeter consulted with District Attorney Valerie Asbell and the following charges were filed against Saadipour: DWI, fail to maintain lane control, open container, careless and reckless driving and felony death by motor vehicle.

Keeter said investigation of the crash continues to determine whether further charges may be filed against Saadipour.

Saadipour was hospitalized for observation.

Highway 301 crash

Trooper T.J. Blount said around 3:30 this morning just outside Halifax, Carl Lee Jr., 27, of Williamston, was driving a vehicle when he traveled left of the centerline and collided with a ditch. The vehicle overturned and he was ejected from the vehicle.

Blount said speed and possible alcohol use were contributing factors.

Blount estimated Lee’s speed to be at least 69 to 70 miles per hour in a 55-mile per hour zone.