ASHEBORO N.C. – A stranded motorist and a driver were taken to the hospital yesterday after the driver crashed into a disabled vehicle on US 311.
At 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11th, 2023, the State Highway Patrol responded to the report of a crash that occurred on US 311 near Banner Whitehead Road in Randolph County.
According to a press release from the NC Highway Patrol, William Greenleaf Golden’s 2003 Dodge Durango SUV had become disabled due to an electrical malfunction and was parked partially in the southbound lane of US 311.
Graciela Nieblas Jimenez, 59, of Thomasville, N.C., was traveling southeast on US 311 in a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV.
Forrest Ralph Harrell, 52, of Archdale, N.C., was assisting the stranded motorist when Jimenez struck the rear of the Durango, subsequently striking Harrell.
Harrell was thought to have sustained serious life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Troopers have since been in contact with Harrell’s family and doctors have given Harrell a much better prognosis.
Jimenez suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, and was transported to High Point Regional Hospital in High Point.
Golden sustained minor injuries and was not transported to a treatment facility.
Golden was charged with leaving a parked motor vehicle upon a roadway where the speed limit
is greater than forty-five (45) miles per hour.
US 311 near Banner Whitehead Road was closed for approximately two (2) hours during the
investigation and Troopers cleared the scene at 12:27 a.m.