A group of cyclists was struck by a suspected impaired driver in North Carolina on Saturday, killing one person and injuring at least 12 others, authorities said. The incident occurred on Optimist Farm Road in Wake County, about 14 miles southwest of Raleigh.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the scene just after 9:30 a.m. after a 76-year-old driver, identified as Donald Robert Morris-Jones of Apex, crossed the center line and plowed into the group of cyclists. After striking the cyclists, Morris-Jones continued driving for about a half-mile before crashing into a ditch on the left side of the road, officials said.
Cyclist Killed and Others Injured
One cyclist, 63-year-old Patrick Allen Turner of Cary, North Carolina, was killed as a result of the crash, the highway patrol confirmed. At least 12 others were injured, with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Holly Springs Fire Chief LeRoy Smith told CNN that 22 people were injured in total, with seven transported to hospitals with major injuries and 15 others sustaining minor injuries.
Driver Arrested
Morris-Jones was arrested at the scene and faces multiple charges, including death by vehicle, serious injury by vehicle, hit and run, driving while impaired, reckless driving, and drive left of center. He is being held in the Wake County Detention Center on $1 million bail.
Group of Cyclists
The cyclists were part of a group that regularly gathers for weekend rides, according to people at the scene. One cyclist told CNN affiliate WRAL that they frequently ride along the route together as part of the Capital Cycling Club.
“Impairment is suspected to be a factor in the crash,” the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.
Video of the aftermath showed law enforcement inspecting a stack of bikes propped up against a guardrail along the road, with some cyclists still at the scene, including one man walking around with a phone to his ear, still wearing his bike helmet.
Morris-Jones is scheduled to appear in court on Monday afternoon, according to court records.
