Witnesses stated that a car travelling south on NC 11 attempting to turn left onto Reedy Branch Rd. pulled in front of an oncoming SUV northbound on NC 11. The SUV struck the passenger side of the car head-on causing the car to collide with another vehicle stopped on Reedy Branch Rd. The side impact critically injured the teenaged passenger even though the car's front passenger air bag deployed and the passenger was wearing her seatbelt.
The Winterville volunteer fire department along with Winterville and Ayden EMS units responded to extricate the teenager who was airlifted to Pitt County Memorial Hospital but died later of her injuries just eight days before her 17th birthday. The three occupants of the SUV, including an eight-month old infant, were transported by Winterville EMS and Ayden EMS transported the car's driver to Pitt County Memorial Hospital where they were all treated and released that night. The driver of the third vehicle was treated at the scene.
Investigation is ongoing by the Winterville police department's accident reconstruction specialist but neither alcohol nor excessive speed is suspected as contributing factors in the collision.
