Hampstead man pleads guilty to 2nd degree murder in crash

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) – A  Hampstead man pleaded guilty today in a crash that killed a young woman in July.

The District Attorney’s office says Gregory Blanks, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of 2nd Degree Murder and one count of Felony Serious Injury by Vehicle.

Judge Ebern T. Watson III sentenced Blanks up to 17.5 years behind bars for Second Degree Murder and up to 30 months for Felonious Serious injury by Vehicle. These sentences run consecutive to one another.

On July 14, Brittany Tighe and Brody Bradley were heading south on Highway 17 in Pender County.  As they approached the intersection of Union Bethel Road and US
Hwy 17, their vehicle were struck head on by Blanks, who was driving the wrong way on US Hwy 17.

Tighe was pronounced dead at the scene and Bradley cracked his sternum and broke his leg. At the time of the crash, Blanks had a blood alcohol level of .18, more than twice the legal limit.

The District Attorney’s office says the work of the North Carolina Highway Patrol and specifically Trooper Justin Murray was instrumental in obtaining the guilty plea from this defendant.