A 76-year-old man was charged with felony death by vehicle and other offenses Saturday after his car struck a group of cyclists in Wake County, North Carolina, killing one and injuring at least a dozen others, authorities said.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported the incident occurred just after 9:30 a.m. Eastern time on Optimist Farm Road, approximately 14 miles southwest of Raleigh. The driver, Donald Robert Morris-Jones of Apex, was traveling west when his black Infiniti passenger car crossed the center line and collided with a group of cyclists heading east. The vehicle continued for about half a mile before crashing into a ditch on the side of the road.
Emergency Response
Holly Springs Fire Chief LeRoy Smith confirmed seven people were transported with major injuries, while 15 others sustained minor injuries. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported the injury toll at about a dozen. The deceased victim was identified as 63-year-old Patrick Allen Turner of Cary.
Charges and Arrest
Morris-Jones was arrested and charged with felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle, felony hit-and-run involving serious injury or death, reckless driving, and driving while impaired, according to officials. He is being held on a $1 million bond.
Suspected Impairment
Authorities stated impairment is suspected to be a factor in the crash. The Wake County Sheriff’s Office released a mugshot of Morris-Jones following his arrest.
Group Ride Context
Witnesses at the scene told officials the cyclists were part of a regular weekend group ride. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation.