Six Injured in Craven County Crash

CRAVEN COUNTY – Six people were injured Saturday when the driver of a car traveling west on U.S. 70 East lost control, crossed the median and hit an eastbound truck and car before ending up in the ditch.

The noontime accident on U.S. 70 east of New Bern stopped even the postman on his appointed rounds as eastbound traffic was stalled for more than 45 minutes. Westbound traffic was stopped shortly, then restricted to one lane.

Lah Gyi of Newport, driver of a gray Mitsubishi loaded with four passengers, lost control of his westbound vehicle near the 4000 block of U.S. 70 east just past Thurman Road.

Trooper J.R. Benson of the N.C. Highway Patrol said Gyi’s car “ran off the road three times, crossed the center median and struck a truck traveling east.”

It then, “spun around and struck another vehicle traveling east,” a black Mustang driven by William Wilson of Trenton, he said. The vehicle ended up in the ditch.

Gyi, Wilson, and all of Gyi’s passengers were taken by ambulance to CarolinaEast Medical Center. One woman in Gyi’s car was taken to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, Benson said.

The truck hit first was a Dodge Ram driven by Dustin Edsall of New Bern who said the Mitsubishi “hit my left-rear wheel and slid me sideways.”

Wilson was next and his Mustang’s air bags deployed. He said his chest hurt, Benson said, but it did not appear that his or any of the injuries were life threatening.

James and Lucinda Dixon of Harkers Island were next in line and missed being hit by what seemed like inches when “the car started fishtailing,” James Dixon said. It left Lucinda Dixon shook up but uninjured.

Benson said Gyi faces charges of exceeding the posted speed limit and careless and reckless driving.

“Speed was a factor in this accident,” Benson said. “While everybody is in a hurry to get their Christmas shopping done, they need to watch their speed.”