A Fatal Three-Vehicle Collision Cripples Traffic in Manteo, North Carolina
In-depth Report on the Collision
Manteo, North Carolina was witness to a tragic three-vehicle collision this Monday morning. The accident on Roanoke Island led to one fatality, with the deceased identified as Robert Hill, Jr., a 65-year-old resident of Georgetown, South Carolina. According to preliminary descriptions from 1st Sgt. S.D. Hurley of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Hill is presumed to have suffered a sudden medical issue leading to the accident.
The Sargent noted that there were “no signs of recklessness” nor high speed involved in the accident. However, the official cause of death would have to be determined by the medical examiner.
The Chain of Events
According to the Sargent, in the early hours of the morning, Hill was seen driving a Ford Explorer south on U.S. 64 towards the prominent Midway intersection. This intersection is a significant landmark where U.S. 64 and N.C. 345 intersect. For an unknown reason, Hill reportedly “crossed the center turn lane into the northbound lane, striking a Mazda CX-5.”
The Ford didn’t stop there; it proceeded in its path of destruction by delivering a “hard sideswipe” to the Mazda. Following this, the vehicle went on to ‘clip’ a GMC Sierra that had been behind the impacted Mazda. “That impact was very slight, but they did make contact,” said the Sargent.
The Accident Scene
The grisly collision transpired just before 9 a.m. in the northbound lane (westbound) of U.S. 64. The area between the popular dunkin’ Donuts and the Silver Bonsai Gallery, just on the outskirts of Manteo on Roanoke Island, soon turned into a chaotic scene of wreckage and traffic.
All three vehicles were towed from the scene. Two of the vehicles had experienced significant damage and the entire surroundings were not cleared until around 11:30 a.m.
The Aftermath
The two occupants of the Mazda, who bore the brunt of the seemingly out-of-control Ford Explorer, were transported to a close by hospital as a precaution. The driver of the GMC, the third vehicle involved in this accident, refused medical treatment at the scene. Thankfully, aside from the tragic loss of Mr. Hill’s life, no other serious injuries were reported.
Impact on Traffic
The mishap caused hours-long closure of the outer banks road, disrupting commuters and causing extensive traffic snarls. The authorities recommend motorists to avoid the area and seek other alternate routes if travelling towards the Outer Banks.
The investigators are currently in the process of gathering more details and talking to potential eyewitnesses to shed more light on this unfortunate incident. The accident also underscores the importance of vehicular safety and health conditions of drivers on the road.
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
