Dawn M. Kurry
Richmond County Daily Journal
A slippery road and speeding were factors in a wreck Tuesday that involved two teenage girls who were not wearing seat-belts, according to police.
Allison Butler, 17, of Rockingham, died in the crash. Mikayla Boone, 17, was driving the car, police said.
Rockingham Police Chief Billy Kelly said the wreck occurred on Aslington Street in Rockingham at 3:15 p.m. According to Kelly, “It appears the driver went off the right side of the road, which caused her to roll several times.”
Kelly said Butler was ejected from the vehicle and died.
Boone, the driver of the four-door sedan, was injured and taken to Richmond Memorial Hospital in Rockingham, said Kelly, who said he was unsure of her condition.
Richmond Memorial Hospital is unable to release information regarding minors, according to hospital officials.
“Officers are still investigating the wreck,” said Kelly. “It is clear that they were on Aslington Street, coming back towards town. Road conditions, speed and failure to wear seat-belts all contributed to it. At this point in the investigation, it does not appear that intoxication played a role.”
Aslington Street has steep, winding hills that have caused complaints from the residents of the street, said Kelly. He said that is the reason the speed limit was lowered from 35 mph to 25 mph.
“I’ve given out tickets there before,” said Kelly. “We’ve had accidents there, but nothing to this degree.”
Kelly noted that the road is dangerous, with houses sitting close to the edge of the roadway.
“Some of those hills are so steep that you can’t see which way to steer your vehicle until you reach the top of them,” said Kelly. He said, with speed and rainy conditions, it is easy to see how someone could lose control of their vehicle.
According to Kelly, the investigation is still ongoing.
Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com.
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