A judge on Monday upheld $1 million bail for a driver accused of crashing into a group of cyclists in Wake County, killing one person and injuring 20 others.
Donald Robert Morris-Jones appeared in court via video following Saturday’s crash on Optimist Farm Road. Prosecutors said Morris-Jones continued driving after hitting the cyclists and was found about a half-mile off the road after hitting a sign.
Authorities conducted a field sobriety test and reported smelling alcohol on Morris-Jones, a 76-year-old Apex resident. His blood alcohol level was not disclosed in court. Law enforcement said he had “slurred speech,” was “rocking while standing” and refused to take a preliminary breath test after the crash.
A judge said Morris-Jones faced a prison sentence of up to 112 years.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Morris-Jones crossed the center line, struck members of the Capital Cycling Club and continued driving about a half-mile before colliding with a sign and crashing into a ditch. The police intervened around 9:40 a.m.
Patrick Turner, 63, of Cary, was killed. Seven other cyclists were seriously injured, while 13 suffered minor injuries.
Morris-Jones faces charges of felony death by vehicle, seven counts of felony serious injury by vehicle, eight counts of felony hit-and-run, DWI and other traffic violations.
Several members of the cycling club attended Monday’s court hearing.
If released, Morris-Jones would be required to wear an electronic monitoring device and would be prohibited from consuming alcohol or driving.
“We are here to find answers”
Capital Cycling Club president Tim Charlino said he believed the vehicle, a black Infiniti, had clipped his saddlebag.
“I escaped by a few inches, so I didn’t see the impact happen,” Charlino said. “I heard it, so I stopped, and I just remember thinking I didn’t want to look around. I didn’t want to turn around…this was going to be bad, and it was.”
A roadside memorial was visible near the crash site Monday. A bouquet of flowers and a yellow sign reading “RESPECT RIDERS” stood next to the roadway.
A candlelight vigil will be held for Turner on Sunday.
For Turner’s fellow cyclists, the shock of Saturday’s tragedy raised questions about how it happened and whether it could have been avoided.
“Like I said, we’re here to find answers,” Charlino said. “I wrote that statement, and you know, it’s hard to imagine that after the collision, he didn’t realize he had hit someone because I heard it. It was loud. I mean, it was incredibly loud, and I saw video that shows that as he was going out of our lane and going back into his lane, it sounded to me like he had accelerated. …like I said, we want answers, and we’re going to let the process play out. unfold, and let the police do their job, and of course follow the Ultimately, we want to see accountability and justice for our friends.”
Charlino said six people remained hospitalized Monday. Their conditions were not immediately known.
Morris-Jones was initially jailed at the Wake County Detention Center under a $1 million secured bond. According to court documents, he has no criminal record but has been described as posing an immense danger to society.
His next court appearance is scheduled for November 30.
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