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3:07 p.m. • 2-12-12

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3 Family Members Killed in Accident on I-95


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3 Family Members Killed in Accident on I-95
3 Family Members Killed in Accident on I-95

Three members of a family were killed in a single-vehicle accident that shut down half of Interstate 95 in Johnston County overnight Saturday.

Judith Days, 62, of Ocala, Fla., was driving home from a Thanksgiving trip to Massachusetts, along with her husband, children and grandchildren.

Troopers said she was likely distracted before the van struck a sign on the right side of I-95 South near mile-marker 79. Days over-corrected when she pulled the van back onto the road, causing it to overturn several times. The van came to rest upright in the median.

Two children were killed: William Harper, 4, who was in a booster seat, and Jessica Harper, 15, who was ejected from the van. Days also died in the accident.

Three other occupants suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital: the children's mother, Colleen Harper, 38; Russell Days, 62, the husband of Judith Days; and Paul Arthur, 40, the son of Judith Days.

All three were treated and released by Sunday afternoon.

A dog in the van was also killed, troopers said. Another dog was being cared for by animal control until the family was ready to take it home.

I-95 South was shut down for nearly 3 hours while the wreckage was cleared. Traffic was detoured around the scene.

Jessica was not wearing a seat belt. Of the adults, only Arthur and Judith Days were wearing seat belts.

Troopers said drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the crash.

RELATED TOPICS: Johnston County

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I am certainly not passing any judgment or blame on anyone as to how the child was in a booster seat but I am sad that others were not belted at all. Unfortunately, this becomes yet another tragedy to affirm why my barely 3 year old daughter will remain extended harnessed until 65 lbs. I do not trust booster seats with regular seatbelts. Little kids don't have a chance in them.

Such a sad, sad story. But if some invisible god was going to act, the time was when the van was rolling, not now.

Are all of these accidents in Johnson County happening around the area that the speed limit is reduced...I think this area is dangerous as you can't simply drop the speed on an Interstate and expect ALL the traffic to woa up...

"The government requires children to be in a booster seat saying that it's soooo much safer. If the booster seat was installed properly and the child still died, the public should be made aware of the facts."

Just remember, if a vehicle is barrel-rolling, the best-designed/installed booster seats are no guarantee. They would need a five-point harness and a NASCAR roll-cage to truly be safe...

This story breaks my heart...,y thoughts and prayers go out to all involved...truly a tragedy

I am so deeply sorry for this mother and this family. I hope they find comfort in their faith and eachother. What a heartbreaking devastating pain to endure to lose your children and your mother. What grief they must be suffering. You are all in our prayers. God Bless!

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