Teen Killed, Mother Hurt After Activity Bus, Sedan Collide

Four Oaks, N.C. — A Four Oaks teen was killed and her mother was critically hurt Thursday morning when their car collided with a school activity bus, authorities said.

Heather Michelle Moore, 16, a passenger in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Her mother, Cheryl Ann Moore, 39, of 1411 Allen's Cross Road in Four Oaks, was listed in critical condition Thursday night at University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

Valerie Turnage, 28, of 755 Hayes Road, who was driving the activity bus, was not hurt.

According to the state Highway Patrol, the activity bus and the Moores' sedan collided on southbound U.S. Highway 301 near Surles Drive in Four Oaks.

Turnage told school officials that the sedan crossed the center line. Investigators said they determined Cheryl Moore was driving 89 mph in a 55 mph zone and struck the activity bus at 70 to 75 mph.

Authorities said there were no children on the bus at the time of the accident.

Charges are pending in the case, authorities said.

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PEOPLE...have you ever been driving and just following the flow of traffic,look at your speedometer, and realize your well over the speed limit?? what ever caused this tragic accident will come out soon enough.all those that want to pass judgement was not there, have no idea what happened. this mother has not began to start her suffering, what she needs is understanding, and support to help her try and get through this. no one can make her pay no more than she's paying right now !!!

UPTOP
March 10, 2007 5:19 a.m.

My heart goes out to this mother. Nothing will ever bring back her daughter and that is something she will live with for the rest of her life. She should not have been driving that fast! I'm sure she will punish herself more over than than anyone else ever could. At this point, she has my prayers and sympathy!

Rocknhorse
March 9, 2007 1:43 p.m.

What a tragedy. My prayers go out to the 16-year-old girl who died in this accident and for the recovery and healing of her mom and also I pray for her friends and family during this time of grief. This is really, really sad. There is no need to point fingers or blame anyone. That's not going to change the fact of the matter. Yes, she was allegedly doing about 90 miles an hour in a 55. I'm sure the investigators are doing their job and there will be more details in the coming days...

Super Typer
March 9, 2007 12:06 p.m.

You know, it amazes me that a lot of people feel they can judge others when situations like this happens. Now, you all know that this woman did not intend for this to happen to her daughter, but the truth is, ALL OF US have used poor judgment and done things that we shouldn't have. Some of US got a away with it, but sadly, some of US will actually have to pay the price. This is just one such situation. Folks lets not judge too harshly because most of us are guilty of bad judgment and doing something that, by law, we should not have done. Is there anyone out there that has not used poor judgment at one time or another, if so, you are perfect.

Concerned
March 9, 2007 11:23 a.m.

I agree with you mom2three. She wasn't going 5 or 25 mph over the spend limit, she was going 34 over, there is absolutely no excuse for that. It was very careless. This was totally avoidable.