CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — A man had been charged in connection to a crash Monday that left a man dead and four others, including a 7-year-old, hurt in Catawba County, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Troopers said Michael Leon Travis, 32, of Claremont, has been charged with driving while license revoked, a seatbelt violation, a child restraint violation, a registration violation, an insurance violation, an inspection violation and unsafe tires.
The crash happened at the intersection of Riverbend Road and Oxford School Road Monday morning. The man who died had pulled into the path of a pickup truck, troopers said.
Troopers said Herman Phillips, 77, was killed after visiting a family member in the area. Authorities said he pulled out into the intersection to turn to go home when he was struck by the pickup truck on Oxford School Road, just north of Claremont. According to Highway Patrol, Phillips did not yield the right of way when he pulled out.
Four other people, including a 7-year-old, were also rushed to a hospital after the crash.
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‘You can get seriously hurt’: Residents concerned after 1 killed, 4 hurt in Catawba County crash
Channel 9′s Dave Faherty learned multiple people are concerned for their safety at that intersection.
“I almost got hit numerous times,” said Gary Dolin, who lives nearby.
Faherty asked Dolin how often he sees wrecks at the intersection.
“At least every other week,” he responded. “And they’re always bad wrecks. It’s never just a rear-end, it’s always bad like that.”
Breaking Catawba Co- on the scene of a deadly crash north of Claremont at the intersection of Oxford School road and Riverbend road. Watch channel 9 news for updates. pic.twitter.com/VHCGdoeJL6
— Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) May 23, 2022
David Slate also lives in the area, and believes a traffic light would help. He said it is sometimes difficult to see cars at the intersection because of the hills along Oxford School Road.
“It’s pretty dangerous. If you don’t watch what you’re doing you can get seriously hurt, as has been proved this morning,” Slate said.
No other details about the crash have been released at this point.
(WATCH BELOW: ‘A nightmare’: 16-year-old killed, another teen hurt in two-car crash in Cleveland County)
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