|
Teenager, toddler die in Saturday accident on U.S. 23-74 east of Sylva
By Carey Phillips
A teenager and her toddler niece died following a two-vehicle accident Saturday (Sept. 17) on U.S. 23-74 east of Sylva.
Skylar Michelle Wingate, 15, of Durham, and Leah Leathers, 2, of Waynesville were killed in the 4:40 p.m. wreck, which occurred just east of Balsam Loop Road, according to N.C. Highway Patrol Sgt. Matt Wike.
Wingate was airlifted from the scene to Mission Hospitals in Asheville, where she was pronounced dead, Wike said. Leathers was pronounced dead at Harris Regional Hospital, he said.
Wingate, who had a limited learner’s permit, was traveling west in a 1998 Ford Mustang. She lost control of the car as she entered a curve and traveled into the grass median, according to a report filed by Trooper Brian Parker. She managed to bring the car back into the travel lane but over-corrected causing the Mustang to again enter the median, this time traveling backwards. The car continued into the eastbound lane where it struck a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer operated by Herbert Van der Ven, 54, of Cooper Farm Road, Whittier.
Van der Ven did not require medical attention, Wike said.
Krystal Wingate, 19, of Timberlake, Skylar Wingate’s sister, was a front-seat passenger in the Mustang. She was taken to Mission Hospitals, where she was treated and released, Wike said.
Leathers was in a child restraint seat, and all other occupants of the vehicles were wearing seat belts, according to Wike.
|
