Fatal Crash in Pitt County

A head-on collision involving a fatality occurred on Wednesday night, November 25th, in Pitt County near the intersection of Mobleys Bridge Road and Highway 33 in Grimesland. The collision occurred at about 7:00 p.m. and was between a car and a pickup truck. Highway Patrol investigation determined that 31-year-old Kerri Silverthorn of Plymouth was heading north when she slowed down for a vehicle in front of her. That’s when 51-year old David Ravon of Chadbourn driving a pickup truck failed to slow and rear-ended the vehicle being driving by Ms. Silverthorn. The impact of the collision caused Silverthorn’s vehicle to run off the right side of the road into a ditch and strike a tree. Ravon’s vehicle also ran off the side of the road, struck a mailbox, a ditch, then overturned struck Silverthorn’s vehicle a second time. Ms. Kerri Silverthorn succumbed to her injuries and died at the scene. David Ravon was arrested for Felony Death by motor vehicle and driving while impaired (DWI).

§ 20-141.4. (a1) Felony Death by Vehicle. – A person commits the offense of felony death by vehicle if: (2) The person was engaged in the offense of impaired driving under G.S. 20-138.1 or G.S. 20-138.2, and (3) The commission of the offense in subdivision (2) of this subsection is the proximate cause of the death.

Each year approximately 1.35 million people are killed in car accidents. This means that on average 3,700.00 people die every day as the result of a motor vehicle collision, and an additional 95,000.00 are injured or disabled daily.

While Americans drove less in 2020 due to the pandemic, NHTSA’s early estimates show that an estimated 38,680 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes—the largest projected number of fatalities since 2007. This represents an increase of about 7.2 percent as compared to the 36,096 fatalities reported in 2019. Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2020 decreased by about 430.2 billion miles, or about a 13.2-percent decrease. The fatality rate for 2020 was 1.37 fatalities per 100 million VMT, up from 1.11 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2019. NHTSA’s analysis shows that the main behaviors that drove this increase include: impaired driving, speeding and failure to wear a seat belt.

Preliminary findings show that traffic fatalities rose in most major categories over 2019: 

Passenger vehicle occupants (23,395, up 5%)
Pedestrians (6,205, flat from 2019)
Motorcyclists (5,015, up 9%)
Pedalcyclists (people on bikes) (846, up 5%)
Crash factors and demographics reviewed by NHTSA that showed the largest increases in 2020 as compared to 2019 included:

non-Hispanic Black people (up 23%);
occupant ejection (up 20%);
unrestrained occupants of passenger vehicles (up 15%);
on urban interstates (up 15%);
on urban local/collector roads (up 12%);
in speeding-related crashes (up 11%);
on rural local/collector roads (up 11%);
during nighttime (up 11%);
during the weekend (up 9%);
in rollover crashes (up 9%);
in single-vehicle crashes (up 9%) and;
in police-reported alcohol involvement crashes (up 9%).

Unfortunately, accidents around the holidays are an all too common occurrence and often involve intoxicated drivers.  Please don’t be a statistic. Drive safely, buckle up, and don’t drink and drive. The DUI and Car Accident Attorneys at Kellum Law firm are dedicated to helping those injured as a result of the negligence of someone else.  We’re available 24/7 and can get started immediately on your case, even after office hours.  Meet with us virtually, over the phone, or in person.  When you hire Kellum Law Firm, We’re With You All The Way!

Call 1-800-ACCIDENT today or chat with us online using the live-chat feature on this page. We look forward to hearing from you.