Impaired driver crashes into cyclist group in Wake County, killing one and injuring 20
A 63-year-old man was killed and 20 cyclists were injured after a driver under the influence struck a group on Optimist Farm Road, authorities said.
Around 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, a black Infiniti driven by a 76-year-old man crossed the center line on Optimist Farm Road near Talicud Trail in Wake County and collided with a group of about 30 cyclists from the Capital Cyclist Club. The vehicle then returned to its lane and later entered a ditch about half a mile from the impact site, according to the Holly Springs Fire Department.
Patrick Turner, 63, of Cary, died at the scene. Seven cyclists were taken to hospitals with serious injuries, while 13 others sustained minor injuries, fire chief LeRoy Smith said. Several injured cyclists received treatment at the crash site before being transported by a Wake County EMS bus to local hospitals.
The driver, Donald Robert Morris-Jones, 76, of Apex, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, careless and reckless driving, felony death by motor vehicle, and felony serious injury by motor vehicle. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, and Optimist Farm Road has been reopened.