Linda Young - AHN Editor
Verona, NC (AHN) - A North Carolina sheriff's deputy and a firefighter were killed directing traffic in heavy fog and smoke on a coastal highway when a tractor-trailer driver struck and killed them on Saturday.
The accident happened in Onslow County along the central North Carolina coast during a controlled burn at nearby Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
Although the 18-wheeler truck had slowed down because of poor visibility, the driver had not slowed enough for conditions and struck two deputies and a firefighter. Robert Kornegay, 51, of Fayetteville, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by vehicle and exceeding a safe speed.
Killed were deputy Steven Boehm, 36, and firefighter Gene Thomas, 52, deputy Bill Hall suffered minor injuries, and was treated at a hospital and released.
There were several other accidents. The highway was finally shut down for a few hours until visibility improved.
Article © AHN - All Rights Reserved
|
