James E Tart, 77, of 560 Well Chapel Church Road, Harrells, was killed Saturday at around 4:25 p.m. after his 1991 Chevrolet skidded around a curve on U.S. 421 south, some six miles south of Clinton between Mt. Gilead Church Road and Byrd-Yancey Bass Road.
According to N.C. Highway Patro reports, Tart’s vehicle was traveling at a speed “greater than reasonable and prudent for the conditions of heavy rains.” Investigators estimated the victim’s vehicle was traveling at approximately 55 mph on impact. Tart, the report further shows, was not wearing a seat belt at the time.
His vehicle slid left of center around the curve and struck a 2001 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Iris Violeta Cuahutle-Rodriguez, 36, of 149 Cricket Lane, Clinton, whose estimated speed on impact was also 55 mph.
Cuahutle-Rodriguez, also reportedly driving without a seat belt, was carrying two passengers who were buckled in — Ana Perla, 41, and Henry Garcia Cuahutle, 11, also of 149 Cricket Lane, Clinton.
After impact, reports state that Cuahutle-Rodriguez’s car slid off the roadway and ended up in a ditch approximately 16 feet away from the initial impact.
Although Cuahutle-Rodriguez was reportedly not injured in the accident, her two passengers were taken to Sampson Regional Medical Center. A condition report was not available before press time.
Both vehicles were towed, and reports show Cuahutle-Rodriguez’s vehicle received $4,000 damage.
To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 139 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.
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