Thursday, Jimmy Lane Harbin, of Alamance County, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Linda Bates McAdams, also of Alamance County.
State Highway Patrol troopers said Harbin was drunk behind the wheel of his truck when he made a U-turn on Lebanon Road in Orange County.
Investigators said McAdams and a man who were riding with Harbin were thrown from the truck when the passenger-side door flew open. Authorities believe McAdams hit her head on the pavement.
Troopers said a car drove by, clipping the open door of the truck. When the driver of the car stopped, he saw Harbin and his passenger load McAdams into the truck and drive away.
Troopers said Harbin and his passenger were headed to the hospital, but they stopped at the M-Mart convenience store and asked a customer to call 911.
"They see a lady there who they tell to call 911. As she proceeds to call 911, they panic and they leave the scene, leaving [McAdams] at the convenience store," said Sgt. Rodney Cates of the Highway Patrol.
Paramedics said McAdams died at the scene. Her body was transported to the Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.
Billie Jo Roberts said McAdams was like a sister to her.
"She was good people. She has a good heart," she said. "She didn't deserve to die like this."
The investigation by the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the Highway Patrol, the Alamance County Sheriff's Office and the SBI revealed McAdams struck the pavement of the roadway with tremendous force.
The Medical Examiner indicated that she sustained massive injuries to her head as a result of the accident, causing her death.
Harbin has not been charged with drunken driving, even though state troopers said he admitted he was drunk at the time of the accident. Because so much time passed between the time of the accident and Harbin's arrest, investigators said there is no way to tell what his blood alcohol content was at the time.
The male passenger who was also in the truck will not face charges in the incident.
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