1 dead, at least a dozen hurt after car strikes cyclists in North Carolina

Key points

• A driver suspected of impairment struck more than 40 cyclists in Wake County, North Carolina, killing one person.
• Patrick Allen Turner, 63, of Cary, was identified as the deceased victim.
• Donald Robert Morris-Jones, 76, faces multiple felony charges and is held on $1 million bond.

One person was killed and others were injured Saturday morning when a driver suspected of being impaired struck a group of more than 40 cyclists in Wake County, North Carolina, authorities said. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said the crash happened a little after 9:30 a.m. Eastern time.

According to the highway patrol, a black Infiniti passenger car traveling west crossed the center line and hit cyclists riding east. The driver continued for about a half-mile before crashing into a ditch, the patrol said.

Victim and injuries

The deceased victim was identified as 63-year-old Patrick Allen Turner of Cary, North Carolina. Holly Springs Fire Chief LeRoy Smith said seven people were taken to a hospital with major injuries and 15 others had minor injuries, while the highway patrol put the injury toll at about a dozen.

People at the scene told Smith the cyclists were part of a group that regularly gathers for weekend bike rides.

The driver did not stop at the scene, but continued for about a half-mile before crashing into a ditch on the side of the road

— North Carolina State Highway Patrol

Charges against the driver

The suspected driver, 76-year-old Donald Robert Morris-Jones of Apex, North Carolina, was arrested on multiple charges, including felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle, felony hit-and-run involving serious injury or death, reckless driving and driving while impaired, officials said. He is being held on $1 million bond.

Wake County is located about 14 miles southwest of Raleigh.