Kortney Summer Atkins Obituary, Death – A Goldsboro mother was killed and three others, including her young son, were seriously injured in a tragic hit-and-run crash on U.S. 70 Bypass near Clayton early Sunday morning. The crash occurred just after 3 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 70 Bypass, near mile marker 319, close to Cornwallis Road, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
The accident involved a wrong-way driver who was traveling west in the eastbound lanes in a white BMW. Following the collision, the BMW caught fire. The driver, a man, fled the scene on foot, evading a manhunt that involved K-9 units and troopers. Despite extensive search efforts, the suspect was able to escape.
The victims were in a white Jeep Cherokee heading eastbound in the correct lanes of traffic. The Jeep carried four occupants from Goldsboro, including a young child. Kortney Summer Atkins, 24, was a passenger in the Jeep. She tragically died on the way to WakeMed from the serious injuries she sustained in the crash. The driver, along with a 4-year-old boy and his father, all suffered serious injuries and were rushed to WakeMed for treatment.
The father of the young boy later spoke to CBS 17 and confirmed that he was married to Atkins, and that their child was the boy who was injured in the wreck. The family’s loss has deeply affected the community, as they process the death of Atkins and the serious injuries sustained by the surviving family members.
Before the crash, multiple calls were made to Raleigh dispatch about the wrong-way BMW. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said they had been attempting to locate the driver prior to the collision, but were unable to do so in time to prevent the tragedy. The crash comes just days after another deadly wrong-way crash, which killed four people along U.S. 301 near Mobley Road in Wilson County, making this the second high-profile wrong-way crash in just 10 days.
The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the search for the suspect, with K-9 units involved in the effort to locate the driver who had fled on foot. The search has continued as authorities work to gather more information about the individual responsible for the crash.
Troopers have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Those who may have witnessed the crash or have knowledge of the suspect’s whereabouts are asked to contact the North Carolina State Highway Patrol’s Johnston County division at (919) 934-2186 or (919) 733-3861. The authorities are committed to finding the individual responsible for the crash and holding them accountable for the deaths and injuries caused by their reckless actions.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers of wrong-way driving, a serious issue that continues to lead to deadly accidents. The fact that the driver fled the scene only adds to the severity of the incident, as it has left the victims and their families searching for answers while grappling with the emotional toll of the crash. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and are working tirelessly to bring the responsible driver to justice.
As the investigation continues, the community is left mourning the loss of Kortney Summer Atkins, a young mother whose life was cut short in a senseless act of reckless driving. The surviving family members, including the father of the injured child, are also facing a long road to recovery as they deal with the physical and emotional trauma caused by the crash. Community support has been pouring in as the family navigates this heartbreaking loss, and authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to help them with their ongoing investigation.
The aftermath of this crash highlights the importance of road safety and the devastating consequences of reckless driving, especially in cases involving wrong-way drivers. As more details emerge, the focus remains on seeking justice for the victims and preventing similar accidents in the future.
