A cyclist was killed and at least 12 others were injured after a suspected impaired driver crashed into a group of cyclists in North Carolina, officials said.
Donald Robert Morris-Jones, 76, was riding on Optimist Farm Road in Wake County Saturday morning when he crossed the center line and struck the group of cyclists, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said. The incident occurred about 14 miles southwest of Raleigh.
After striking the group, the vehicle sped away from the scene, left the left side of the roadway and crashed into a ditch a half-mile from the cyclists, authorities said.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the scene just after 9:30 a.m.
A cyclist died as a result of the crash and at least a dozen others were injured, authorities said. Their injuries ranged from minor to serious, and several were transported to hospitals for treatment.
Highway Patrol identified the deceased victim as Patrick Allen Turner, 63, of Cary, North Carolina.
He and the other cyclists were part of the Capital Cycling Club.
The club, in a statement released on Sunday, offered its condolences to Turner’s loved ones.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow and mourning,” we read. “He was a strong, consistent, reliable and considerate pilot.”
Morris-Jones was arrested and charged with death by vehicle, seven counts of serious injury by vehicle, eight counts of hit-and-run, DUI, reckless driving and driving left of center, according to the Highway Patrol. Morris-Jones was being held at the Wake County Detention Center on $1 million bond.
“Impairments are suspected to be a factor in the accident,” the agency said.
The Capital Cycling Club, which has been running for more than 30 years and organizes Saturday group rides, said: “We are all in shock at the callous decision of the individual who caused the collision. »
“This horrific event was not an accident. As far as we know, the individual made the decision to drive in a manner that put others in serious and fatal danger,” the club said. “We do not believe it is possible that the driver was unaware that he had collided with the group. He chose at that time to continue driving away from the scene, leaving massive carnage in his wake.”
The club said it is working with law enforcement in the investigation. The organization also thanked first responders for being on scene within minutes and preventing further loss of life.
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