Rain a factor in Harnett crash that injured trooper, driver

Benson, N.C. — Police said heavy rain caused a head-on collision Monday afternoon that injured a state trooper and another driver, and closed a portion of N.C. Highway 27 in Harnett County for several hours.

The crash happened at 2:55 p.m. about two miles west of Benson, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Trooper C.J. Bell was driving his unmarked Dodge Charger west along the state road near Bailey’s Road when he was struck by a van driven by Ryan William Chubb, 40, of the 100 block of Roping Lane in Cameron, according to highway patrol spokesman First Sgt. Jeff Gordon.

Investigators believe Chubb’s vehicle hydroplaned on the rain-slicked roadway, crossed the center line and hit the trooper’s car. After the impact, the van rolled several times before coming to rest, Gordon said. Bell’s car stopped on the right shoulder.

The trooper was transported to Wake Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries. Chubb was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Calvin Spears, who lives nearby, watched as crews cleared the wreckage. It appeared as though the cruiser's doors had been ripped off.

"I'm just thankful to the good Lord that nobody was killed," Spears said. "They didn't have a copilot in there, but with the Lord they had a pilot."

Gordon said charges are pending against Chubb.

The roadway reopened about 6:30 p.m.

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Latest Comments

You're welcome. He continues to improve.

leo-nc
July 12, 2012 2:42 p.m.

Thank you for the update leo-nc. I someone who cares!

ThinBlueLine304
July 11, 2012 2:00 p.m.

Thanks leo-nc for the update. A few, very few, do care and only wish him the best in recovery, unlike what some others wish.

thepeopleschamp
July 11, 2012 1:59 p.m.

Trooper went through surgery yesterday and is doing well. Not that any of you care but if there is SOMEONE out there in Golo land that actually does, know that he's going to be okay and will go back to work in a few months doing a good job like he always has. No it wasn't his fault and no he will not be charged even though a good many of you wish for that.

leo-nc
July 11, 2012 1:10 p.m.

"All your neighbors are perfect huh? You just can't admit there are situations the police are meant to handle that you couldn't possibly deal with. All those people in prison just walked into jail by themselves didn't they? And your neighborhood is somehow magically imune to bad deeds. As usual, you give me a good laugh each time you post. Keep up the comedy. thepeopleschamp"

First off most of the people in prison do not belong there. Secondly I do not invite trouble. I have never had any of the sort of trouble that people here are so frightened of and doubt that I ever will. Lastly I would be a lot more likely to trust the crooks than the cops. At the very least the crooks are honest about what they are while the cops are not.