Henderson man faces charges in 5-year-old's death

Henderson, N.C. — A Henderson man was arrested on multiple charges, including driving while impaired and felony death by motor vehicle, in a collision Sunday afternoon that killed a 5-year-old boy who was on a walk with his father.

Henderson police said Richard Thomas Stokes, 22, and his son, Jayden Chad Stokes, were walking west along East Montgomery Street around 1:15 p.m. when a 1998 GMC truck, driven by Vincent Gregory, 47, hit them.

Investigators said Gregory drove left of the roadway, hit a telephone pole, drove over the curb and hit the Stokes before landing in a tree.

Stokes and his son were taken to a local hospital, where the boy died, police said. Richard Stokes' medical condition wasn't immediately available Sunday evening.

Gregory, of 270 Sparrow Lane, was also charged with assault inflicting serious injury by a motor vehicle and driving with a revoked license.

He was in the Vance County jail Sunday evening under more than a $1 million bond. He is scheduled to appear in Vance County District Court on Monday.

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Latest Comments

Isn't premeditation the distinguishing factor for First Degree? Didn't he intentionally drink? If I intentionally loaded a gun, pointed it at someone and killed them, wouldn't that be the same? He was drunk and pointing a weapon! When are we going to wake up and expect people to be held accountable for their actions?

Timetogo
February 4, 2013 5:07 p.m.

So sad. Prayer for the child's family.

cmama
January 29, 2013 7:12 p.m.

I guess the $1,000,000 bail is used to impress the public, but we know this guy will serve very little time for destroying this family!

mac240
January 29, 2013 8:28 a.m.

Will there ever be the time where the judicial system can be held responsible for these repeat offenders which are allowed to remain on the streets?

highvolt1
January 28, 2013 7:09 p.m.

Nephesh and Relic, I get you and should have stated it a little differently. Yes, it was a choice. My post was in the context of someones having implied that he should be off the road because he killed A CHILD, that by definition being somehow worse than killing an adult.

I was attempting to distinguish between this reckless, negligent act which had random victims, and a pedophile who seeks out children to harm precisely because they are children, which IS worse than harming an adult.

Terkel
January 28, 2013 5:19 p.m.