An Autryville man has now been charged in connection with the death of a relative, who was killed in one of two deadly wrecks in Sampson County this past weekend. Investigators have cited the non-use of seat belts as a large factor in both wrecks proving fatal.

The accidents were the fourth and fifth fatalities on county roadways in a young 2009. There have been three deaths on county roadways in the last two weeks.

N.C. Highway Patrol investigators have charged Tomas Gonzalez Gallardo, 35, of 196 Martha Lane, Autryville, with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and stop sign violation, according to detailed reports submitted Wednesday to patrol supervisors.

The charges stemmed from a wreck that occurred at 1:40 p.m. Sunday.

Gallardo was the driver of a 1998 Ford pickup, in which Nicomedes Sanchez, 60, of the same Autryville address, was a passenger. The pickup was traveling east on Hayes Mill Road in the Clement community when it failed to stop at a stop sign and ran the intersection at Tew Road, colliding with a 2007 GMC sport utility vehicle.

The pickup struck the SUV, driven by Joy McLamb Spell, 57, of Autryville, in the left front quarter panel. According to patrol reports, upon impact, Sanchez was ejected from the pickup and was later pronounced dead from his injuries.

Both vehicles ran off the roadway after the collision, with Spell’s SUV striking a tree. Gallardo and Spell were taken by emergency medical personnel to Sampson Regional Medical Center, where they were treated for minor injuries.

Less than five hours later, Highway Patrol authorities responded to a second fatality on Keener Road, approximately 10 miles north of Clinton. Reports have shown that a Clinton man who died as a result of a single-vehicle collision at 6:30 p.m. Sunday was not restrained at the time.

Sammy Lee Newton, 44, of Vada Lane, Clinton, was traveling south on Keener Road, just south of Daughtry Town Road, when the 1989 Chevrolet van he was driving ran off the right side of the roadway. The van struck a ditch before plowing through a cable television junction box, careening off several trees and finally coming to rest in the ditch.

Investigators estimated the van was traveling 70 mph in the 55 mph zone. Newton was reportedly not wearing a seat belt and was trapped in the van following the wreck. The deadly incident occurred less than a mile from Newton’s Vada Lane home.

‘Drive to Live’

With five deaths on county roadways already this year, troopers have increased their presence while encouraging drivers, especially those who are younger and more inexperienced, to be more aware and cautious when getting behind the wheel.

Throughout this week, troopers in Sampson have attempted to promote safe driving in high schools as part of “Operation Drive to Live.” The operation has been conducted from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, said trooper David Kidd, who added that similar safety and awareness talks would be conducted as prom season nears.

According to state statistics, traffic collisions continue to be the leading cause of teenage deaths in North Carolina and across the nation.

Last year, 125 teenagers were killed on state roadways, with many of those accidents occuring during the daily drive to and from school. There were three teenage fatalities in Sampson County last year, including two 19-year-olds killed in wrecks weeks apart in late February and early March. Troopers pointed to careless and reckless driving and exceeded speed limits — the other teen was a passenger — in the wrecks.

“Teenagers are actually being killed during their commute to and from high school,” said Kidd. “Speed usually is the number one factor, whether they’re running late going to school or running late going home from school or another event.”

The aim with the campaign is not to target anyone, but to make new drivers more cognizant of other drivers and the rules of the road, Kidd noted.

“We just want to make our teenager drivers more aware,” said Kidd. “That is what this campaign is all about — just awareness. We’re being seen in school zones more frequently. If they happen to see a Highway Patrol car, they should have their seat belts on.”

In addition to seat belt use, Kidd said teenage drivers are being urged to watch their speed, look out for stop signs and not drink and drive.

“Those are the four main things. Those are the problems we see that face the young people,” said Kidd.

And, while the campaign is about awareness, troopers will enforce laws to keep all motorists safe.

“We will enforce motor vehicle laws in the school zones, but what we’re looking for is a little voluntary compliance,” Kidd remarked. “That’s what we’re hoping for.”

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.