Wednesday 6/11/08

HICKORY WOMAN DIES IN
FOUR-CAR I-40 WRECK
At least two other people injured; investigation continues

By Jon Mayhew

HICKORY -- A Catawba County woman died early Tuesday morning and at least two other drivers were injured after a four-car wreck on Interstate 40 between the Highway 321 and Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard exits. The wreck that took the life of Angela Ruth Franklin, 29, 1313 Fifth Avenue Southwest, Hickory, shut down traffic for almost four hours in the westbound lanes and slowed onlooker traffic to a crawl eastbound.

According to North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper B.L. Buchanan, Franklin was driving her 98 Dodge Neon eastbound when she tapped another car, a Hyundai.

"The impact caused Franklin to cross into the median and into the other lanes, where she made contact with two other vehicles," said Buchanan, adding Franklin was pronounced dead at the scene.

The reconstruction unit with the North Carolina Highway Patrol spent time Tuesday reconstructing the accident.

While Buchanan said alcohol wasn't a factor, he couldn't say for sure if speed was a factor. He said Franklin was wearing her seat belt at the time of the accident.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the investigation into the accident is continuing.

"The investigation is centering around what kind of contact was made and how much contact was made," said Buchanan.

The driver of a pickup, Gavin Simmons, and a Chevy Lumina, Lisa Miller, were taken to the hospital for their injuries. Their conditions weren't available as of Monday night.