Pair of Motorcyclists Die after Colliding with Pickup Truck
According to WECT, two people on a motorcycle die after being hit by a pickup truck while on the highway in Columbus County, North Carolina, on Sunday evening.
Details of Deadly Motorcycle Wreck
Carl Foster Jr., 51, and Patricia Wright, 52, were riding on a motorcycle west on U.S. Highway 74 near Old Boardman Road when the fatal accident occurred. At approximately 5:45 p.m. local time, 71-year-old Philip Smith failed to stop at a stop sign in his pickup truck and trailer.
WECT reports that the pair of motorcyclists were hit by the truck, and Foster and Wright died from injuries sustained in the crash. Smith did not suffer from injuries in the collision.
Officials do not believe alcohol or drugs lead to the fatal crash. According to WECT, Smith faces two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Motorcycle Crash Statistics
The following information is provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
- 4,295 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2014.
- Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.
- Only 19 states and the District of Columbia mandate helmet use by all riders.
- Per mile traveled in 2014, the number of deaths on motorcycles was over 27 times the number in cars.
