Bryson City woman killed Sunday in wreck near Gateway

By Lynn Hotaling

A two-vehicle accident Sunday (July 28) resulted in one fatality.

The collision occurred about 5 p.m. near Gateway Flea Market, said Trooper Mike McLeod of the N.C. Highway Patrol.

A 1993 Ford van driven by Rodney Kirk, 53, of Whittier, entered U.S. 74 from the Gateway Flea Market in front of a 1995 Mercury van driven by James Curtice, 39, of Bryson City, who was travelling east on U.S. 74, McLeod said.

As a result of the collision, Curtice's wife, Janet, also 39, died at the scene, McLeod said. A medical helicopter was summoned to transport Janet Curtice, McLeod said, but she died before it arrived.

Kirk has been charged with failure to yield right of way and misdemeanor death by vehicle, McLeod said.

Both Kirk and James Curtice were treated and released from Harris Regional Hospital, as were the Curtices' two children, ages 7 and 9, McLeod said.

Kirk's van contained some antique firearms that he had been selling at the flea market, McLeod said. Those weapons were secured until Kirk was released from the hospital at which time they were returned to him, McLeod said.

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