A strange car accident took the life of a 31-year-old woman from Pender County on April 18. The accident occurred on Highway 421 close to the Isabel Holmes Bridge. For reasons unknown, the woman had pulled her car to the side of the road and activated her emergency flashers. She got out of her vehicle and started walking down the road. Shortly after, she was hit by a truck. The woman’s car had not broken down, so authorities are not sure why she had left her vehicle.
The man who hit her has not been cited in the accident. Troopers do not believe any type of impairment was involved in this accident but have requested a toxicology report anyway. The investigation into this accident and the causes behind it is still in progress.
While no one appears to know why the woman got out of her car, this incident is still a tragedy. Details surrounding this accident remain unclear, and in the very least, the victim’s family deserves answers. Many times, initial reports of a serious accident are incomplete, and when further details are discovered, a different conclusion is reached about what happened.
As the family grieves a life cut short and wonders what possibly could have gone wrong, they will probably be interested in the official accident report once it is made available. If circumstances indicate that the negligence of another party played a role in her death, the family may have a legal right to file a wrongful death claim under North Carolina law seeking reimbursement for damages incurred. A review of the report, together with any other relevant evidence, may help the family decide what, if any, legal action to take.
Source: WWAY NewsChannel 3, “Pedestrian killed near Isabel Holmes Bridge,” April 19, 2012