September 1, 2011
Students and faculty at Brookside Elementary School grieved this morning as they walked past the flag flying at half-mast in remembrance of the colleague and mentor they lost yesterday in a single-car crash on I-85 in Gaston County.
The 27-year-old victim was a Charlotte woman who had been a teacher in the area for nearly seven years. She was driving southbound along I-85 when the crash occurred. According to the Associated Press, troopers for the North Carolina Highway Patrol said there was an explosion inside the vehicle, which caused the driver to swerve and hit a concrete median in the road. She ricocheted off the structure, and the vehicle apparently accelerated. The Toyota Scion then left the road from the right shoulder before driving into a grove of trees and striking one head-on. The Charlotte Observer reported the woman was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center but died soon after arrival.
Troopers investigating the incident have pulled the black box from the Toyota to see what may have malfunctioned, if anything, which caused the accident. They expect to have results within several weeks.
In 2009, Toyota recalled millions of cars for faulty accelerator pedals, but to date, no Scions have been affected.
If you have lost a loved one due to a negligently built piece of equipment, contact the North Carolina Wrongful Death Attorneys with HensonFuerst. Our experienced team is available to discuss your case anytime. Just fill out a free online consultation form to get started today!