A driver involved in the Dec. 8 fatal crash on East Broad Avenue (Business U.S. 74) in Rockingham is now facing a felony charge, according to the arrest report that was released Thursday.
The crash claimed the life of 9-year-old Jody Williams and injured his grandmother, Emma Williams, 66.
Christopher Scott Goodwin, 44, of Rockingham, was driving the car that collided with a car driven by Williams, according to the Rockingham Police Department.
The arrest report said Goodwin is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, which is a felony. He was arrested Thursday on Hamer Road and was taken to the Richmond County Jail at 4 p.m., the arrest report said. A $5,000 secured bond was set and the case is scheduled to be heard in court on Jan. 10, the report said.
“Vehicle 2 (driven by Williams) was stopped for the stop sign on Lady Mary Lane at the intersection with US 74 (E. Broad Avenue). Vehicle 2 started across US 74 (E. Broad Avenue) to get to Richmond Memorial Park. Vehicle 1 (driven by Goodwin) struck Vehicle 2 in the outside westbound lane on US 74 (E. Broad Avenue). Both vehicles then traveled off the right side of US 74 (E. Broad Avenue) into Richmond Memorial Park causing damage to grave plots. Both vehicles came to rest in Richmond Memorial Park,” the crash report said.
The crash report said that Goodwin was driving above the posted speed limit; he was going 60 mph in a 45 mph speed zone.
Goodwin, who did not have drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the crash, was driving with his wife Angela Rene Goodwin, 41, in the front passenger seat of his 2004 Volkswagen, the crash report said. Williams was driving her daughter-in-law’s 1997 Dodge, with grandson Jody as a passenger.
Goodwin crashed into the Dodge without slowing down and hit the passenger side of the car, the crash report shows. The vehicles caused more than $8,000 in damages to eight grave markers.
The crash report also said the damages caused to Goodwin’s car are estimated to be $10,000 and the damages caused to Williams’ car are estimated to be $5,000. The wreck occurred at about 7:21 p.m.
Both drivers and Mrs. Goodwin were rushed to the hospital. Williams, who spent a few days in the hospital, has been released and continues to improve. In late December, a family member said Williams was “doing better … she is getting back on her feet.”
A makeshift memorial for Jody Williams still exists at the entrance to Richmond Memorial Park. Although the poinsettias, a stuffed monkey and two stuffed dogs wearing Santa hats are no longer there, the white flowers placed at the site in December still stand as a reminder to everyone of the fatal crash.
— Staff Writer Laura Edington can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at ledington@heartlandpublications.com.
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