Police Still Searching for Possible Crash Victim

Hope Mills, N.C. — Police are still trying to find a man they believe had a car accident and was injured on Wednesday.

Luther Carbon “Tony” Russell, who turned 43 Wednesday, telephoned a friend from the road to complain of not feeling well, according to police. He then called a deacon at his church at 7 a.m. to say he had been hurt in an accident and was stuck in a ditch between two trees.

The last call originated from a cell tower at exit 14 on I-95 in Lumberton, police said. Calls back to him have gone unanswered.

Russell is believed to have been driving his burgundy 1998 Mazda 626, license plate NC VTV 5380. He is a black male, 5 feet 11 inches tall.

Russell, who works at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Hope Mills, began his shift at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, according to Cumberland County Sheriff's officials. Around 5:30 a.m., he notified his manager that he was not feeling well and was going to Duke Hospital.

Authorities are not sure if Russell was going to Duke Hospital in Durham or the Duke Hospital Annex facility in Lumberton, also known as Duke Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Investigators said Russell usually travels on Interstate 95 before taking I-40 to Duke Medical Center, but he may have taken back roads.

Anyone with information about Russell's whereabouts or an accident involving a car matching the description of Russell's vehicle is asked to call the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office at 910-677-5432.

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The SC couple's accident was actually report to the authorities, though I think if the person who called about the accident stayed or tried to help then maybe the SC couple would still be alive. No body asked why that didn't happen though did they? This case is only similar to that because of the alleged accident nothing else.

rpd911
March 8, 2007 2:17 a.m.

The GPS on most phones isn't active unless the person calls 911, even then it's not exact. About the only thing they might be able to do is use cell towers to triangulate his position, if his phone is still on. the fact that he didn't call 911 may suggest that he did something wrong. People who need help but did something wrong to get them in that trouble usually don't call 911 right away or at all. Also there is the possibility, though it doesn't say, that he could be wanted, locally, state or nationally, and that is why he didn't call 911. No one knows for now.

rpd911
March 8, 2007 2:15 a.m.

I'm with Albritton. Something very fishy about this story. Anyone want to bet that it turns out he wasn't in a wreck? (If he was in one I do wish him good health though)

Derrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
March 8, 2007 12:18 a.m.

GPS on most cell phones? I don't think so. Maybe your talking about something else Mookers. I know some phones have that capability, but My New motorola razor does not, nor does my wife's new LG phone. It appears they know the general area of his calls as they relate to the towers being used. That is still a pretty large area to look in though. I sure hope they are out there looking right now as we speak.

dhamma
March 7, 2007 11:52 p.m.

I hope he is found soon but if he had an accident and was able to call his deacon, I don't understand why he didn't call 911. I feel so bad for his family and will pray for you all. Whatever, the case is, I pray that God will give you answers and peace soon

xchief661
March 7, 2007 11:45 p.m.