Two killed in Castle Hayne motorcycle accident

Two bikers were struck and killed at this intersection on Castle Hayne Road. Fifty four year old Larry Barnhill was pronounced dead at the scene. It was also his 54th birthday.

Rock Hill Road Resident Elouise Tate saw the accident on her way home from work. “When I got to the intersection, I saw the rescue workers putting a white sheet over someone on the ground.”

The other biker, Joy Walton, was rushed to New Hanover Medical Center where she died overnight. Highway patrol says a Castle Hayne resident, James Edward Corbett Jr., struck their bike in his pick up truck while turning left onto Rock Hill Road. “This is not the first time someone has been killed in the intersection,” says Tate.

According to highway patrol, speed was not a factor, but residents still say the intersection is a particularly dangerous one. Rock Hill resident Marcella Garrett says, “Its very dangerous, they need a traffic light here on this intersection.”

Resident Celestin Witted says, “Somebody is turning left and you can’t see who is coming, and its very dangerous.”

Tate says, “Its hard to get onto the highway, its hard for incoming traffic to turn into the highway.” Highway patrol charged Corbett with driving while impaired. More charges are pending.