One cyclist was killed and at least 12 others were injured after a driver, suspected to be impaired, plowed into a group of cyclists in North Carolina.
Donald Robert Morris-Jones, 76, was driving on Optimist Farm Road in Wake County on Saturday morning when he crossed the center line and struck the group of cyclists, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said. The incident unfolded about 14 miles southwest of Raleigh.
After striking the group, the vehicle traveled away from the scene then ran off the left side of the roadway and crashed into a ditch a half a mile away from the cyclists, officials said.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the scene just after 9:30 a.m.
One cyclist died as a result of the crash and at least a dozen more were hurt, authorities said. Their injuries range 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.
Morris-Jones was arrested and charged with death by vehicle, seven counts of serious injury by vehicle, eight counts of hit and run, driving while impaired, reckless driving and drive left of center, according to Highway Patrol.
“Impairment is suspected to be a factor in the crash,” the agency said.
Morris-Jones was being held in the Wake County Detention Center on $1 million bail.
