One year later, trooper recalls fatal Pender crash; talks summer travel safety

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Sgt. S.B. Lewis with the Highway Patrol said there were seven collisions that resulted in fatalities and 342 that resulted in injury last Memorial Day weekend.

But Lewis said you can make the roads a safer place by following some simple rules.

“You need to wear you seat belt. That’s the first thing you should do before you pull out your driveway and get on the highway. It’s the first thing I do. It’s the first thing I have my kids do,” said Lewis.

He said according to the CDC, wearing your seat belt can reduce your risk of an accident fatality by half. Another biggie, is don’t drink and drive.

One year ago, Sergeant Lewis was on scene when a fatal wreck in Pender County killed a toddler and later his newborn brother.

“I remember that to this day like it was yesterday,” Lewis said. “Whether it’s one year to the day from the collision or 15 years and I’m at my retirement luncheon, that’ll be one that, collisions like that you take them around with you forever.”

The family involved in that crash, the Eddings, is celebrating some good news today. A school will be built in Haiti and named for their sons, Dobbs and Reed.