Troopers: Alcohol a factor in third fatal Union Co. crash in a week

UNION CO. — North Carolina state troopers are investigating a fatal crash in Monroe, the third to happen in Union County in the past week.

Investigators said 26-year-old Rashonda Rushing lost control of her truck and crashed in front of a home on NC 84 West near Rocky River Road.

Officials said the homeowner called 911.

Three men were riding in the truck but were not injured. Rushing was ejected from the vehicle.

The men ran to a neighbor's house for help.

"(They said) 'Please help. Help. Help, please.' I didn't hear the word accident so I didn't know what to think," said Alan Harris, the neighbor who called 911.

He saw Rushing face down in the lawn and ran to her side.

"I went over and prayed for her and told her God loves you," Harris said.

Troopers said Rushing was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.

"It's sad. It's sad, all I can say is -- it's sad," said John Morris, another resident.

Channel 9 went to an address for Rushing Saturday. Neighbors said she lived there with her boyfriend at one point and had several small children.

"It makes me feel terrible because the children are without a mother," Morris said.

Harris said the three men involved in the crash had some cuts and bruises, but none of them were seriously injured.

Investigators believe alcohol was a factor.

WSOC