Local

Lenoir woman thankful after surviving horrific crash

LENOIR — A Lenoir family is thanking God their loved one survived a horrific crash that claimed the lives of three members of one family.

The Rev. Geralene Patterson and a friend were heading to church Wednesday evening along Highway 64 in Gamewell when they noticed the driver of a white Kia speeding towards them.

Patterson said she immediately changed lanes and tried to get out of the way.

She said the Kia moved too and slammed right into her Lexus.

"It was something you'd never forget.  It was coming straight at you," says Patterson.

The pastor said she felt herself blacking out. She said her friend in the passenger seat screamed at her to wake up.

They were both transported to a local hospital. Patterson said it was later that night when she discovered three family members, Carolyn Handy, her granddaughter Sabrina, and Sabrina's son, Carson were all riding in the Kia and all were killed.

Patterson only spent three days in the hospital and has no broken bones following the crash.  She was even able to go to church and talk with members of her congregation about the tragedy.  On this day when three lives were laid to rest, Patterson offered her support.

"If I could be there today, I'd hug every one of them and tell them I love them," says Patterson.

Patterson believes she knows the Handy family.  She says she remembers meeting Sabrina and Carson just a few weeks ago at a July 4 event.