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1:06 a.m. • 5-26-13

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Posted: July 15, 2011
Updated: July 16, 2011

Cary police motorcycle, pickup truck crash on NC 55

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Cary, N.C. — A Cary police motorcycle and a Dodge pickup truck crashed on N.C. Highway 55 near Morrisville-Carpenter Road around 5 p.m. Friday, authorities said.

Senior Officer Chad Penland, 32, was on duty and attempting to make a traffic stop when the truck, driven by Benjamin Rainey, 72, of Cary, tried to make a left-hand turn from a northbound lane of the highway and drove into the motorcycle's path, troopers said.

Penland was taken to Duke University Hospital to be treated for multiple broken bones, but is expected to recover.

No charges have been filed. The wreck is still under investigation, troopers said.

Photographer: Robert Meikle
Web Editors: Kelly Hinchcliffe, Bridget Whelan

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18 Comments

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Latest Comments

"I saw 4-5 Durham County patrol officers on logo identified Ninja type bikes riding in a pack not long ago in N.Durham county.. Big Mike July 15, 2011 7:15 p.m."

What does that have anything to do with this story? Seems though I have only seen ONE person say it, ill say it again...hope the officer and other driver will be ok.

johnny2times
July 15, 2011 7:51 p.m.

Well we already know that the civilian is going to be found at fault. After all, the police can do no wrong and are above the law. Especially in Cary.

mrlee34
July 15, 2011 7:50 p.m.

Driving today... I must have been past by a dozen drivers speeding & texting as they passed me on 540 coming up to the hi-way 55 exit. There seems to be a "race" phenomena that causes drivers to recklessly pass as many others as they can before they get to the exit ramp at hi-way 55. There needs to be some trooper presence to stop this behavior.

The homeward bound traffic coming off 540 and coming out of the park on 55 into Apex is always a mess. Too many drivers in a rush to get home, talking on the cellphone or texting, plus the aggressive driving of the high-dollar sports car enthusiasts - will add up to only one thing - collisions.

quaten
July 15, 2011 7:45 p.m.

paulej July 15, 2011 7:20 p.m

Your posting make sense, but I still say it worth the risk. A lot of fine officers have been hurt or killed in single car accidents also. It's my understanding that they have better training than what is in the regular motorcycle safety course. But even being a traffic cop can be dangerous, so I still feel it's worth the risk. Now for why do we need cops on motorcycle, other than to save money I'm not all that sure of. I know some meter maid ride a three wheel contraption. So I don't know why we have them on motorcycles.