Fiery crash claims life

Published 9:04 am Tuesday, July 27, 2010

GATESVILLE – One person was killed in a fiery crash here Friday morning.

According to a report filed by North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper J.G. Williams, the two-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of U.S. 158 and N.C. 37 in Gates County.

A 1994 Peterbuilt tractor trailer was travelling west on U.S. 158 when a 1996 Dodge Caravan was driven into the intersection by Emilie Thiery, 16, of Windsor, Virginia. The Dodge was travelling south on N.C. 37. It came to a stop at the U.S. 158 intersection at which time Thiery reportedly failed to yield the right of way and pulled into the intersection.

The tractor trailer, operated by Scottie Howard, 29, of Thomasville, struck the van on the driver’s side at a sliding door on the back of the van, despite efforts by Howard to avoid the collision.

“The second vehicle caught fire, traveled off the roadway to the right and came to rest facing the southeast on the shoulder of U.S. 158,” Trooper Williams said.

The driver of the van and the front seat passenger – Kenneth Thiery, 46, – were each airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

The second passenger, who was in the back seat of the van, died at the scene. Because of the fire, dental records are being sought to determine the person’s identity.

Neither Howard nor a passenger in the tractor trailer – 15-year-old Kirby Rowe – was injured in the accident.

Charges are pending in the incident.