The woman who leads the Rowan County Homeschool Association lost one of her sons this morning in an accident on U.S. 70.
Thirteen-year-old Morgan Gray died at the scene of the accident where U.S. 70 crosses Second Creek, according to Cleveland Fire Chief Kenny Payne.
Renee Gray and her two sons, Morgan and Trevor, 9, were traveling toward Salisbury about 7:50 a.m. when their white Plymouth van ran off U.S. 70 and struck the side of Second Creek Bridge.
According to N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper J.M. Jackson, the van then flipped on its side in the westbound lane.
A burgundy car heading west then struck the roof of the van.
Trevor Gray was treated at Rowan Regional Medical Center this morning and released. Renee Gray was still undergoing tests late this morning.
The name and condition of the other driver were not known.
The accident backed up traffic for about 112 hours this morning.
Inside the van, the victims were trapped while crews worked to free them using the Jaws of Life hydraulic device.
Payne, the Cleveland fire chief, said that it took about 20 minutes for the Cleveland crew and the Rowan Rescue Squad to extract the passengers in both cars.
“It was a double pin,”he said.
“I would think that the fog was a contributing factor,” he said, saying the accident occurred right over a creek, a low spot on the highway.
Debbie House, publicity chairman for the Homeschool Association, got a call right after the accident happened.
“I don’t know why they were out so early,” she said.
House added that member of the home school group had little details this morning and were trying to figure out what to do for the family.
The association serves about 160 families, according to House, and is a tight-knit community. This year they have a good number of new families.
“The families that have been here ongoing are tight, and it’s hit us hard,” she said.
Trooper Jackson said the Highway Patrol is still investigating the accident.
While the crews worked to free the people in the two vehicles, officials called a Hazmat team to check for spills.
“We special requested a Hazmat team came out to check for any hazardous material that got in the water,” Payne said. “They found none.”
Jackson said that there was minimal damage to the bridge, but a N.C. Department of Transportation worker was there this morning to access the damage.
Fred Gilbert was on his way to work at nearby KoSa when he saw the accident occur. His car was right behind the car that hit the van.
“It was really scary,”Gilbert said. “As soon as she hit (the bridge), she tumbled up.”
Gilbert said that the car barely had time to put on brakes before he struck the van.
Gilbert said the driver of the other car had blood on his arm and head injuries but was coherent at the scene.
Contact Joanie Morris at 704-797-4264 or Jill McCartney at 704-797-4253 or either at
news@salisburypost.com .
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