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Man charged in crash that caused deadly home explosion turns himself in

By Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com and Liz Foster
By Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com and Liz Foster

FALLSTON, N.C. — Authorities said the man charged after driving his truck into a Cleveland County home earlier this year, causing it to explode, killing the couple who lived inside, has turned himself in.

Thomas Pruitt was indicted last Monday on two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. On Thursday, officials said they could not find Pruitt and were actively searching for him.

Troopers said he turned himself in just before noon Friday.

A husband and wife died after Pruitt's truck slammed into their Cleveland County home on Feb. 28, causing an explosion.

On Thursday morning, officials said they could not find Pruitt and were actively looking for him.

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Neighbor Jim Weaver knew the couple that was killed for about 40 years. He said a conviction would bring closure to others in the neighborhood.

"He ought to be man enough to face up to what's happened," Weaver said.

If anyone has information about Pruitt's whereabouts, they are urged to call the Highway Patrol.

Officials told Channel 9 that Pruitt, 24, of Kings Mountain, crashed around 10:30 p.m. into the home on East Stagecoach Trail in Fallston.

The truck struck a propane tank, which triggered multiple explosions.

Johnie, 74, and Naomi Newton, 76, lived in the home. They were rushed to the hospital with critical injuries and died the next morning.

Family members told Channel 9 the couple was asleep in bed when the truck slammed into their home.

Neighbors said that they could feel the explosion in their homes and the fire chief said debris from the explosion landed several houses away.

Firefighters told Channel 9 they had to pull the couple from the house.

The Fallston community packed a church Tuesday evening to share a prayer, tears and hope after the devastating loss.

“Everybody here loves them, you know this is a tight community, it's just the biggest loss,” neighbor Ron Dorsey said.

Fred Towery has lived next door to the Newtons for 45 years.

“They were a mighty good family,” Towery said. “You couldn't have asked for anybody to ever have been any nicer to you than what JB and Naomi Newton were.”

A man, who said the couple inside were his parents, claimed there were several propane tanks in the back and on the side of the home holding about 1,000 gallons.

Crews said the explosion was so strong it also caused homes nearby to catch fire, comparing the scene to the aftermath of a tornado.

Witnesses described a loud blast and a wall of flames.

"It's a tragic disaster,” Weaver said. “You see it in the movies happening, but you never expect to see it in your front yard."

Chris Weaver rushed over to help Pruitt and described what Pruitt told him.

"’I don't know what happened except I fell asleep at the wheel,’" Chris Weaver said Pruitt told him.

Chris Weaver said Naomi Newton didn't know the gas line ruptured. He saw her through a window and told her to run.

"Watching her turn to walk away from me and just a wall of fire,” he said. “I will never forget that."

He said the fiery explosion came after she took a couple of steps.

Doris Weaver, the mayor of Fallston, lives across the street from the Newtons. She told Channel 9 there have been three crashes at that intersection in the past year -- the most recent was when a driver lost control and struck Naomi Newton's car.

The mayor said she has asked for help from the state, but was told there isn't anything that can be done.

The Highway Patrol has been to Pruitt's house near Kings Mountain and his girlfriend's home in Blacksburg several times. His mother told them that he is afraid.

"He thinks that he is going to be put in jail a long amount of time for murder and he is not being charged with murder," Trooper D.S. Smart said.

He could be placed on probation if he is found guilty on the misdemeanor charge.

"Ultimately he needs to turn himself in because he is making matters worse for himself the longer this goes on," Smart said.

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