FRANKLINVILLE, NC : Three injured in wreck near Franklinville on Tuesday, 23rd August, 2016

A 16-year-old was critically injured early Tuesday morning when the mini SUV he was riding in crashed, landing on the driver’s side and striking a tree.

Caedom Lineberry, 16, of Staley was traveling in the left rear seat of the 1998 Geo Tracker when the accident occurred about 4:45 a.m. on Low Bridge Road, near Hardin Ellison Road, northeast of Franklinville. He was airlifted by UNC Aircare, from a landing zone set up at nearby Franklinville Elementary School by the Franklinville Fire Department, to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

Trooper D.S. Payne, of the N.C. Highway Patrol, who investigated the accident, said Lineberry received life-threatening injuries as a result of the accident and was reported to be in critical condition Tuesday afternoon at the hospital.

Payne said the Geo Tracker was driven by Marcos A. Benitez-Blanco, 17, of Liberty, who was traveling east on Low Bridge Road and lost control of the vehicle when the road surface changed from paved to gravel. The Geo Tracker traveled left of center and off the roadway, turned onto the driver’s side and struck a tree. The driver told Payne that he was unfamiliar with the road and its conditions.

The driver and a second passenger, Austin Clay Hatchel, 18, of Ramseur, received minor injuries, according to Payne. They were transported by Randolph County EMS to Randolph Hospital where they were treated and released.

Payne said it was unknown whether Lineberry had his seat belt on when the accident occurred. The two other occupants of the vehicle reported they were wearing their seat belts.


Source :
Three injured in wreck near Franklinville