Rep. Womble charged in fatal crash

Winston-Salem, N.C. — State Rep. Larry Womble was charged Thursday with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle for his role in a December wreck in Winston-Salem.

Womble, D-Forsyth, and David Allen Carmichael collided head-on on Reynolds Park Road Dec. 2.

Blood tests on Womble showed no intoxicants in his system, police said, but their investigation showed he crossed the center line and hit Carmichael going about 45 mph.

Carmichael, 54, of 2767 Reynolds Park Road, died at the scene.

Womble, who was critically injured in the crash, returned to the state legislature Tuesday after months of surgery and recovery.

He has represented Forsyth County in the General Assembly since 1995. The retired teacher and principal also served on the Winston-Salem Board of Aldermen from 1981 to 1993.

During his nine terms in the legislature, Womble has advocated for compensation for victims of the state's eugenics program during the 20th century. He also was the primary sponsor of the Racial Justice Act, which allows death row inmates to use racial statistics to show bias in sentencing.

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Some of you act as if he should receive a medal rather than a citation. The charge was a misdemeanor. I don't think he will do any time. And if he does, he can appeal under the Racial Justice Act.

Blindman
May 25, 2012 11:57 a.m.

I think this was an accident, but somebody died here, and there are consequences to actions whether they are accidental or not. per Wendellcatlover

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There is more to this story than is being told...I'll almost guarantee it.

First, YES it is unfortunate that someone lost their life in this MVA...BUT if it was just a matter of "an accident" caused by something out of Mr. Womble's control (such as a mechanical issue, weather such as ice, or the sudden onset of an acute medical condition) although he would have been sited as "at fault" he would not have been CRIMINALLY CHARGED!

It might be nice to know WHY WERE CRIMINAL CHARGES sought? Was Mr. Womble DUI, talking on the phone, texting or otherwise knowingly distracted at the time of the accident?

affirmativediversity
May 25, 2012 11:13 a.m.

He crossed the center line and killed another person. Surely considering the victim and their relatives he certainly should be charged. It was an accident that he caused. Do you think that anyone who kills another person accidently should not be charged? Arent most people charged when an accident happens?

superman
May 25, 2012 9:30 a.m.

I think this was an accident, but somebody died here, and there are consequences to actions whether they are accidental or not.

Wendellcatlover
May 25, 2012 8:20 a.m.

sorry jesmyopinion, if you had read the former report on this back in December, you would have seen it was reported that Womble was not wearing a seat belt. I would suggest you research the WRAL past reports of this.

judithfergerson
May 24, 2012 7:34 p.m.

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Rep. Womble charged in fatal crash

34 Comments

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