A North Carolina driver is facing several felony charges after allegedly hitting a group of cyclists, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. Donald Robert Morris-Jones, 76, is accused of driving under the influence and striking about 30 cyclists in Wake County.
The incident occurred on Saturday, Nov. 7. At approximately 9:30 a.m., North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) troopers responded to a crash on Optimist Farm Road. Reports from local media outlets WRAL, WYFF4, and ABC11 indicate that Morris-Jones fled the scene, later crashing into a ditch half a mile away.
Authorities confirmed that one cyclist, Patrick Turner, 63, from Cary, N.C., died in the crash. Troopers stated that at least 20 cyclists sustained injuries, with seven suffering serious harm and 13 others experiencing minor injuries. The injured were part of the Capital Cycling Club and were transported to nearby hospitals.
Video footage from the crash site depicted law enforcement officials assessing the area, where a pile of bicycles rested against a roadside guardrail. Emergency response teams, including ambulances and buses, attended to the injured.
Jail records reveal multiple charges against Morris-Jones, including one count of driving while impaired, driving left of center, reckless driving, eight counts of felony hit-and-run involving serious injury or death, seven counts of felony serious injury by vehicle, and one count of felony death by vehicle. He is being held on a $1 million bond with a court appearance scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9.
The NCSHP investigation is still active as officials gather more information on the incident.
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