Four Lives Lost in Separate Outer Banks Car Accidents Within a Week

In a tragic series of Outer Banks car accidents, an Outer Banks man succumbed to his injuries at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital on July 3, following a hit-and-run incident on Washington Baum Bridge. This unfortunate event marked the fourth fatality in less than a week, as confirmed by a North Carolina Highway Patrol spokesperson.

Scott William Dawson, 63, was pushing a bicycle over the Washington Baum Bridge toward Nags Head from Roanoke Island when he was struck by a 2015 Jeep Wrangler driven by Mark Thomas Sullivan, a 44-year-old resident of Manteo.

The accident occurred just before midnight on June 30. Dawson was immediately transported to the Outer Banks Hospital and subsequently airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he passed away.

Mark Thomas Sullivan was charged with felony hit-and-run inflicting serious injury or death, misdemeanor driving with a revoked license, and failure to reduce speed. The charge remained unchanged after Dawson’s death because the statute does not differentiate between serious injury and death in hit-and-run cases.

Sullivan was apprehended at his home around 5 a.m. on July 1 and admitted to hiding the vehicle in a Colington neighborhood. Notably, alcohol was not considered a factor in this incident, though Sullivan faces a separate pending DWI charge in Dare County. He was held on a $350,000 secured bond.

Another tragic incident occurred on July 1 around 3 p.m. in Currituck County, resulting in the death of a Penske Truck Rental employee. The Penske employees were driving a crossover SUV on U.S. 158, heading to the beach from Norfolk, when their vehicle veered left of center, sideswiped a minivan, and collided head-on with a Dominion Energy truck.

The passenger, Larry Edwin Walter, 87, a U.S. Navy veteran from Virginia Beach, died at the scene. Walter had worked for Penske for nearly 22 years. The driver, Richard Mayes, 69, also from Virginia Beach, was critically injured but has shown signs of improvement.

The third fatal incident involved best friends and fishing buddies Janice Bateman and Frances Brinn, both 82-year-old Manteo residents, who died after a crash on Roanoke Island near the Washington Baum Bridge on June 27. These incidents have left the Outer Banks community in mourning.

For the victims and their families, seeking compensation can be a daunting process. Victims of car accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages in cases of gross negligence.

At Breit Law Attorneys, we understand the emotional and financial toll these accidents can take. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to ensure that victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve.

We take a personalized approach to each case, meticulously gathering evidence, consulting with experts, and negotiating with insurance companies. Our goal is to alleviate the burden on our clients during this difficult time, allowing them to focus on healing and recovery.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a car accident in the Outer Banks, we urge you to contact Breit Law Attorneys for a free consultation. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of the legal system and secure the justice and compensation you are entitled to.

The recent spate of Outer Banks car accidents is a stark reminder of the dangers on our roads. We urge all drivers to exercise caution and remain vigilant to prevent further tragedies. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims during this challenging time.

Source: Daily Press